5,000 demonstrators occupy Sampang regent's office

SURABAYA (JP): Some 5,000 protesters from various areas in Sampang, Madura island, occupied the Sampang regency office on Monday to protest the delay of the inauguration of the newly elected regent.

The protesters, who arrived on dozens of trucks and other vehicles, said they wanted Fadhilah Budiono to be sworn in as Sampang's regent soon, Antara reported.

Fadhilah's inauguration was delayed following protests from several factions at the local legislative council that the election was not valid as two councilors, who had quit the council, had cast their ballots.

The strongest protests reportedly came from the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction, accusing Fadhilah, a senior police superintendent, of involvement in swindling food aid for refugees from Sambas, West Kalimantan.

The protesters asked all the regent's office staff to go home and parked their trucks on the road leading to Bangkalan.

The traffic had to be detoured and motorists were forced to take smaller paths to go to Bangkalan.

The villagers threatened to stay in the building until East Java Governor Imam Utomo installed Fadhilah as the new regent.

Fadhilah secured the post after winning the election last July. He was supposed to be sworn in sometime in August.

Call for patience

Separately, Governor Imam Utomo said in Surabaya on Monday that he was very concerned with the move of the protesters to occupy the regent's office and block the road.

"Sampang residents should have been more patient," he said, adding that he had asked Fadhilah to calm his supporters. "Thank God, with the help of the local kyai (Islamic leaders) the protesters agreed to go home peacefully."

The protesters dispersed after Fadhilah and the kyai talked to them in the afternoon. As many as 500 police officers on alert, did not have to use violence to deal with the villagers.

The governor said he had reported everything related to the election to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

"I have yet to receive any response from the ministry. Pending the swearing in ceremony, somebody should have been appointed as caretaker."

Fadhilah denied the allegations that he and several kyai had organized the huge protest, adding that he had been absent from office since Saturday, the end of his term of duty.

Hasyim Asy'ary, chairman of the Sampang United Development Party (PPP), had earlier said that his party would stick to the result of election, meaning the reelection of Fadhilah. (nur/sur)