Government told to be firm against convicted regent<\/p>\n
Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam<\/p>\n
Deputy speaker of the Riau Islands legislative council
\nSyafaruddin Aluan demanded on Tuesday that Hari Sabarno, the
\nMinister of Home Affairs, annul a government decree endorsing the
\nappointment of Huzrin Hood as the regent of the Riau Islands.<\/p>\n
The resolute step was needed in order to end the chaos in the
\nRiau Islands government after Huzrin, the current regent, was
\nconvicted and imprisoned for corruption, he said.<\/p>\n
"There was a split in the administration after the verdict,
\nwhich has made the system of governance here ineffective,"
\nSyafaruddin said.<\/p>\n
Huzrin was jailed by the Tanjung Pinang District Court in
\nearly October for two years on charges of corruption involving Rp
\n3.46 billion (US$407,058) from the regency's 2001 budget.<\/p>\n
Huzrin filed an appeal with the Riau High Court after the
\nverdict.<\/p>\n
The wheels of government in the regency have largely ground to
\na halt since the verdict. A group of people who consider Huzrin
\nno longer fit to retain his post after his conviction has
\ndemanded that he step down.<\/p>\n
Deputy regent Anshar Achmad has also been demanding that
\nHuzrin step down.<\/p>\n
Huzrin himself, backed by his staunch supporters, has so far
\nmanaged to maintain his position. Facing off with the opposition,
\nHuzrin said that he would reshuffle his administration and
\nreplace the deputy regent.<\/p>\n
Syafaruddin said the ordinary people would be the victims of
\nthis messy situation as public services were being badly
\naffected.<\/p>\n
"There is no other way to save the people from this situation,
\nexcept that the minister steps in to annul the decree endorsing
\nthe appointment of Huzrin as the regent of the Riau Islands," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Huzrin was elected by Riau councillors, and the government has
\nissued a decree endorsing the election.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Hendie Devitra, Huzrin's lawyer, defended a recent
\ndecision by the Riau High Court placing Huzrin under house
\narrest.<\/p>\n
The decision, which was made at Huzrin's request, was
\nannounced on Saturday only 10 days after Huzrin was imprisoned by
\nthe Tanjung Pinang court for corruption.<\/p>\n
"The decision will make it easier for him to carry out his
\nday-to-day duties as regent," said Hendie.<\/p>\n
The decision benefits Huzrin as he no longer has to stay in
\nprison. But, only two days after the decision was made, Huzrin
\nsought more privilege from the High Court on Monday. He filed an
\napplication with the High Court to be placed under city arrest in
\norder to give him greater freedom and enable him to carry out his
\nduties as regent.<\/p>\n
Hendie said the demand was justified. He said Huzrin remained
\nthe legitimate regent -- although he was convicted of graft -- on
\nthe ground that the appeal process to the higher court was
\nunderway.<\/p>\n
Separately, local legal observer Bambang Yulianto urged Huzrin
\nto step down.<\/p>\n
"He is no longer fit to serve as regent as he has been
\nconvicted of corruption. He must step down to maintain the
\ncredibility of the regency administration," he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-told-to-be-firm-against-convicted-regent-1447893297",
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