Gubernatorial elections spark protests<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Protests and some violence have erupted in Bali
\nand West Nusa Tenggara recently over the results of the two
\nprovinces' gubernatorial elections and over the government's
\ninsistence in upholding them.<\/p>\n
Numerous groups in Bali have aired their opposition to the
\ngovernment's decision to approve the recent election of Dewa Made
\nBeratha as the province's new governor for the 1998\/2003 period.<\/p>\n
Beratha replaced outgoing governor Ida Bagus Oka yesterday
\nwhen he was sworn in by Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid
\nduring a plenary session of the Bali provincial legislative
\ncouncil in Denpasar.<\/p>\n
Syarwan welcomed the protests over the election, saying they
\nwere an exercise in democracy.<\/p>\n
He argued, however, that Beratha was the Balinese people's
\nchoice.<\/p>\n
\"The fact that certain groups have expressed their opposition
\nto the new governor is normal in a democratic country.\"<\/p>\n
He said that differences in opinion were part of the efforts
\nat improving national unity.<\/p>\n
The minister called on the new governor to continue developing
\nthe island's tourist industry and agricultural sector to improve
\nthe local people's welfare.<\/p>\n
The provincial administration had reportedly planned to deploy
\n1,000 civil servants to help secure the swearing-in ceremony
\nfollowing threats by anti-Beratha groups to disrupt the
\ninauguration.<\/p>\n
Only dozens of security personnel, however, were seen at the
\nprovincial legislative council compound maintaining order during
\nthe swearing-in ceremony yesterday.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, thousands of students, youths and religious leaders
\nin West Nusa Tenggara have staged a series demonstrations over
\nthe last two weeks against the election of Harun Alrasid,
\ncurrently Jakarta deputy governor, to replace outgoing governor
\nWarsito.<\/p>\n
The demonstrators, who demand a new gubernatorial election,
\nhave pelted stones at the provincial legislative council building
\nin the provincial capital of Mataram on Lombok island, causing
\nserious damage to the glass wall and windows.<\/p>\n
They say Harun is not popular among the local population and
\naccuse him of buying votes in the election.<\/p>\n
Col. Dadang Sutrisno, the province's police chief, expressed
\nregret over the damage the protests have caused to the
\nlegislative council building.<\/p>\n
\"I appeal to the people to stop. Remember how we raised the
\nmoney with difficulty to construct this building,\" he said
\nyesterday in a dialog with demonstrators. (rms)<\/p>",
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