Acting mayor of Payakumbuh appointed

Acting mayor of Payakumbuh appointed

PADANG: West Sumatra: West Sumatra Governor Zainal Bakar has appointed Yusrizal Baharin as the acting mayor of Payakumbuh, replacing Darlis Ilyas, who was suspended by Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno.

The ceremony to install the acting mayor last Saturday was not attended by Darlis, who was expected to hand over the position to Yusrizal.

Governor Zainal said that Darlis had informed him that he would not attend the ceremony. "Darlis respects the decision of the minister of home of affairs," said Zainal.

But Zainal said that the ministerial decree had its weakness and he would take the case to court.

Darlis's lawyer, Nur Idris, said that the Payakumbuh mayor had brought his case to the Padang Administrative Court.

Meanwhile, reliable sources said that some 40 supporters of Darlis had departed for Jakarta. They will urge minister of home affairs to revoke the decree on Darlis' suspension. --JP