Ali Mazi passes public scrutiny

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Southeast Sulawesi gubernatorial election committee ignored public objections to Ali Mazi, who won the election last week. Ali and his electoral partner Yusran Silondae passed the three- day public scrutiny and are expected to be sworn in as governor and deputy governor, respectively, on Dec. 23, 2002.

The chairman of the election committee, Andrey Djufri, said that despite public objections, the committee had not found strong legal grounds to annul the results of the gubernatorial election held on Nov. 21, 2002.

"The committee has decided to continue the succession process until the installment of the elect governor and elect deputy governor," Antara news agency quoted him as saying here on Thursday.

Andrey, a former government prosecutor, conceded that the committee received eight objections against the elect governor from the public, but that they did not enclose any evidence that could be used to annul the election results.

He said the eight letters of objection contained allegations of bribery against Ali.

He revealed that the Kalo Sara Youth Foundation put forth two witnesses, who made an official statement that they saw Ali transfer two bank notes for the amounts of Rp 50 million and Rp 40 million respectively, as compensation to Golkar Party legislator La Upe Rasyid on Oct. 27, 2002.

"We could not follow up the case because La Upe went missing following the gubernatorial election, so that the election committee cannot conclude that Ali is involved in money politics," he said. He also admitted the local police were still investigating a case of fraud that involved Ali.

Ali was also rumored to have a second wife, but according to Andrey, such a clause was not included in the list of violations that could annul the gubernatorial election results.

"The election results will be annulled if the police find Ali guilty in the bribery and fraud cases," he said.

The police were involved in a clash with students and youths who protested against Ali and Yusron, who were allegedly involved in money politics and other crimes when the gubernatorial election was held.

Eleven demonstrators are still being held at the police detention house in Kendari to wait for further investigation.

Kendari Police Chief, Adj. Sr. Comr. Sumaryoto, said the 11 detainees were demonstrators who opposed Ali for his alleged involvement in money politics.

"They were arrested because they used anarchism and violence in which an antiriot police personnel was seriously injured," he said, adding he has received many telephone calls asking him to release the detainees.

Outgoing governor La Ode Kaimoeddin said Adel Berty, who was defeated in the gubernatorial election, had to abandon his post as Kolaka regent for his participation in the gubernatorial elections.

"The Home Minister has delivered a letter, allowing Adel to run his candidacy to the election with the condition he is unseated from his position as Kolaka regent," he said.

Ali won a major victory in the election while Adel gained only six votes.