Warring camps agree to delay new Sampang regent post<\/p>\n
SURABAYA (JP): The planned induction of the new regent of
\nSampang on Madura island off East Java has been moved back hours
\nafter an angry mob set fire to the local legislature on
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
The decision was approved during a meeting between
\nrepresentatives of the warring groups mediated by Governor Imam
\nUtomo. The meeting at the Granadi gubernatorial office ended at
\nabout 10.30 p.m.<\/p>\n
\"The two camps agreed to delay the swearing-in ceremony
\nwithout opposing the minister of home affairs decree which
\nendorses the appointment of Fadhilah Budiono as Sampang regent,\"
\nImam told reporters.<\/p>\n
Also present in the meeting were East Java Military Commander
\nMaj. Gen. Sudi Silalahi, deputy East Java Police chief Brig. Gen.
\nSupriadi, speaker of the provincial legislature Bisri Abdul
\nDjalil, noted Madura figure Muhammad Noer, who is also a former
\nEast Java governor, and Fadhilah himself.<\/p>\n
Imam said Fadhilah would be sworn in after 10 ulemas
\nrepresenting combating supporters of the National Mandate Party
\n(PKB) and the United Development Party (PPP) each meet on Sunday
\nto discuss measures to calm the tension.<\/p>\n
\"The two camps also guarantee that no security problems will
\noccur in Sampang,\" Imam said.<\/p>\n
Fadhilah was tightlipped about the agreement.<\/p>\n
On the eve of the new Sampang regent's induction, a group of
\npeople believed to be PKB supporters ransacked the regent office
\nand burned the hall which would host the ceremony.<\/p>\n
It took local residents and fire brigade an hour to douse the
\nfire. Order has been restored, according to Imam.<\/p>\n
Fadhilah, a police colonel, won the regent election in July,
\nbut protests, mostly by PKB faction members, have accused him of
\nswindling rice for West Kalimantan refugees.<\/p>\n
On Monday thousands of Sampang residents took to the streets,
\ndemanding that Fadhilah be inaugurated soon.<\/p>\n
The demonstrations had apparently prompted Minister of Home
\nAffairs Surjadi Soedirdja to issue on Tuesday decrees on the
\nappointment of Fadhilah (as new regent) and his deputy Said
\nHidayat.<\/p>\n
Puji Raharjo, secretary of PKB faction, said after the arson
\nthat it was the decrees which triggered the party supporters'
\nanger. He said the PKB faction had met President Abdurrahman
\nWahid and Surjadi in Jakarta some time ago reporting on the
\nFadhilah issue.<\/p>\n
\"The President and the minister agreed at that time that
\nFadhilah would not be installed until the legal process is
\ncompleted,\" Puji told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
He said the attack on Sampang legislature was a spontaneous
\naction despite the fact the people had gathered at the party's
\nsecretariat before.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day several government offices in Sampang were
\nclosed on Wednesday morning due to fears of more unrest.<\/p>\n
Deputy chief of East Java Police Brig. Gen. Supriadi denied
\nthe situation in Sampang would be out of hand.<\/p>\n
\"Everything is under control in Sampang. I'm sure the
\ninauguration of the new regent will run smoothly,\" he said on
\nWednesday morning.<\/p>\n
He said a battalion of police troops would secure the
\nswearing-in of Fadhilah, adding that the massive deployment was
\naimed to prevent chaos. (nur\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/warring-camps-agree-to-delay-new-sampang-regent-post-1447893297",
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