Protest marks swearing-in of councillors<\/p>\n
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
The swearing-in ceremony of 75 city councillors on Wednesday was
\nmarred by a rally, involving some 1,000 people, in front of the
\nCity Council on Jl. Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The protesters demanded the new councillors act to prevent
\ncollusion, corruption and nepotism (KKN) practices in the
\ncouncil.<\/p>\n
Head of the Jakarta High Court Arifin A Tumpal, presided over
\nthe ceremony, which was tightly guarded by police officers and
\nsecurity guards.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso read the speech of Minister of Home
\nAffairs Hari Sabarno, who was absent from the occasion.<\/p>\n
About 80 percent of the councillors are new faces. The
\nProsperous Justice Party (PKS), Democratic Party and the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) are assuming the
\nmajority of seats, with 18, 16 and 11 seats respectively.<\/p>\n
Councillor Dani Anwar of the PKS was appointed as acting
\nchairman. He will lead a meeting on Aug. 29 to discuss internal
\nregulations for new councillors.<\/p>\n
Protesters from non-governmental organizations and party-
\naffiliated groups called for clean governance. In a symbolic
\ngesture, they even handed the councillors a dustpan and broom.<\/p>\n
\"New councillors must not be involved in collusion, corruption
\nand nepotism practices,\" yelled Wardah Hafidz of the Urban Poor
\nConsortium (UPC).<\/p>\n
Most new councillors vowed to avoid those practices.<\/p>\n
\"We will make significant changes, including to get rid of red
\ntape. Hopefully, these new faces will bring about a change for
\nthe better,\" said Ahmad Alaydrus of the Democratic Party.<\/p>\n
The call for clean governance has grown stronger with alleged
\nviolations that involve several councillors and former
\ncouncilors.<\/p>\n
Mustaman and Sumiati Soekarno of the PDI-P, and Abdullah
\nPrawiradirja of the United Development Party (PPP) were reported
\nto the police for document forgery and vote-buying respectively.<\/p>\n
The three still held their positions when the Jakarta Police
\nceased to investigate their cases, citing insufficient evidence
\nas the reason.<\/p>\n
\"We discontinued the investigation as we are certain there has
\nbeen no crime. However, those who object can file for a pre-trial
\nlawsuit,\" said Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani.<\/p>\n
Firman said that, so far, the police had not received any
\nformal objections to the acquittals.<\/p>\n
The police have also been investigating a fraud accusation
\nagainst former City Council chairman Agung Imam Sumanto.<\/p>\n
A businesswoman, identified only as Et, had earlier reported
\nAgung to the police. She claimed he had promised to arrange
\noperational permits for public buses that she manages, but had
\nnot held up his side of the bargain. Et and her three business
\npartners had submitted a total of Rp 1 billion (US$108,695) to
\nAgung.<\/p>\n
\"We have questioned some witnesses and we are evaluating the
\nresults of that questioning. But, we will summon him (Agung)
\nsoon,\" Firman said.<\/p>\n
Agung denied the allegation. \"That's a lie. That's not true,\"
\nhe said after the swearing-in ceremony.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/protest-marks-swearing-in-of-councillors-1447893297",
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