E. Java governor told to stay home<\/p>\n
SURABAYA (JP): East Java Governor Imam Utomo canceled a trip
\nto Malaysia and Thailand after Minister of Home Affairs and
\nRegional Autonomy Surjadi Soedirdja asked him not to go abroad
\nwhile the situation in his province remained unsettled.<\/p>\n
Imam told reporters on Friday that the minister asked him not
\nto go abroad, even for a short period.<\/p>\n
The governor was scheduled to leave on Thursday and return to
\nSurabaya on April 12.<\/p>\n
"Some provincial officials and nine provincial legislators
\nleft on Thursday for Malaysia and Thailand," he said.<\/p>\n
The governor said he was scheduled to attend the opening of a
\ntrade and handicraft expo in Kuala Lumpur organized by East Java
\nbusinesspeople, and visit an agribusiness terminal in Bangkok for
\na comparative study.<\/p>\n
Imam was asked if the minister's request was in response to a
\nregistration drive in East Java to sign up volunteers to defend
\nPresident Abdurrahman Wahid to the death.<\/p>\n
However, the governor said "it had nothing to do with that."<\/p>\n
"He (the minister) just wants me to focus on the problems in
\nthe province."<\/p>\n
Sources have said the National Police chief has instructed the
\nEast Java Police chief to remain vigilant and anticipate
\ndevelopments.<\/p>\n
Governor Imam also criticized the registration drive. "What is
\nthe use of these registrations. Going to Jakarta in a large group
\nwill only worsen the situation. I have called on PKB to review
\nall of its plan relating to the jihad."<\/p>\n
Imam also said he met with the chairman of the Nahdlatul
\nUlama's central board, Hasyim Muzadi, on Thursday in Surabaya.<\/p>\n
Imam quoted Hasyim as saying the NU supporters who had vowed
\nto fight for the President to the death were beyond the authority
\nof the NU.<\/p>\n
"That is what the people want," Imam said, quoting Hasyim.<\/p>\n
The registration drive is continuing in Surabaya and other
\ntowns in East Java, which is known as a stronghold of the NU, an
\norganization Abdurrahman chaired for 15 years before being
\nelected president in 1999. (nur\/sur)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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