Madurese stage protest at Golkar office over Sampang<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The speaker of the House of Representatives
\nAkbar Tandjung's recent suggestion that the newly-elected Sampang
\nregent Fadhilah Budiono be allowed to take his position despite a
\nheated dispute, has drawn strong reaction from the Madurese
\ncommunity in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
A group of Madurese marched to the Golkar Party headquarters
\nin Slipi, West Jakarta, demanding that Akbar withdraw his
\nstatements which they felt were controversial.<\/p>\n
Akbar is also chairman of the Golongan Karya (Golkar) Party.<\/p>\n
Waving banners and posters criticizing Akbar and Golkar, they
\nsaid Akbar had created more tension in Sampang, Madura and that
\nhis statements could create unrest among Madurese.<\/p>\n
The protesters did not meet any party official and dispersed
\nafter holding an oration.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, the team examining the dispute over Fadhilah's
\nelection, recommended the Ministry of Home Affairs ask the
\nSupreme Court to issue a final decision on the matter.<\/p>\n
The team coordinator, Abdul Hamid, said on Thursday in
\nSurabaya that the team members failed to reach an agreement on
\nwhether last July's election of Fadhilah Budiono as regent of
\nSampang was legal.<\/p>\n
\"After a week's time, the team could not give a final decision
\non the issue. That's why we are handing the case back to the
\nMinistry of Home Affairs,\" said Abdul Hamid, who is also a deputy
\ngovernor of East Java.<\/p>\n
However, Hamid said the team had not failed. \"There is a very
\nserious legal point that needs to be clarified by an authorized
\ninstitution. Therefore, we recommend that the Supreme Court give
\nthe final (legal) decision.\"<\/p>\n
The team was established following an emergency meeting of
\nEast Java Governor Imam Utomo, Minister of Home Affairs Surjadi
\nSoedirdja and President Abdurrahman Wahid last week.<\/p>\n
The team consists of officials from the Ministry of Home
\nAffairs, the East Java administration, the National Police, the
\nBrawijaya Military Command and the provincial prosecutor's
\noffice.<\/p>\n
Fadhilah, who has the support of the 12-member United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP) faction in the regency legislative
\ncouncil, secured 23 of the 45 votes in the regent election.<\/p>\n
The National Awakening Party (PKB) faction which has 18
\nmembers in the council, rejected Fadhilah's victory, saying he
\nwas involved in a swindle.<\/p>\n
Fadhilah, a police senior superintendent, was scheduled to be
\ninstalled as regent on Sept. 6 but the ceremony was abruptly
\ncanceled following a protest by PKB supporters.<\/p>\n
Fadhilah's supporters had earlier taken to the streets to
\ndemand that he be installed.<\/p>\n
A political observer at Surabaya's Airlangga University,
\nAriwibowo, said if the central government was consistent in its
\nsupport of regional autonomy, it would leave the dispute to the
\nregional administration. \"It will be an honor for the region to
\nsettle its own problems,\" he was quoted by Kompas daily as
\nsaying. (nur\/sur)<\/p>",
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