Regent's supporters occupy office<\/p>\n
SURABAYA, East Java: Thousands of supporters of Sampang
\nregent-elect Fadhilah Budiono occupied the local regency office
\non Monday demanding that he be inaugurated as the new regent
\nwithin the next three days.<\/p>\n
The rally forced all of the regency's employees to flee the
\noffice, while several state schools were closed for the day.
\nAround 200 policemen were deployed to guard strategic places in
\nthe city.<\/p>\n
Fadhilah, who was elected Sampang regent last September, has
\nyet to be inaugurated following protests from several factions at
\nthe local legislative council that the election result was not
\nvalid because two councillors who had quit the council had cast
\nballots.<\/p>\n
The prolonged dispute came to the fore again on Monday as the
\nprotesters, who were backed by most district heads and village
\nleaders in the regency, threatened the authorities if they failed
\nto meet the demand.<\/p>\n
\"If the governor fails to inaugurate him, we'll not be
\nresponsible for what happens to this government,\" Nurun Tajalla,
\none of the village leaders, said.<\/p>\n
East Java Governor Imam Utomo said it was the minister of home
\naffairs and regional autonomy who had the authority to settle the
\nmatter.<\/p>\n
\"I have informed the minister about this as it is very
\ndifficult for me to run the government because of this problem,\"
\nImam said. (nur\/dja)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/regents-supporters-occupy-office-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}