Allegedly corrupt mayor receives strong support from key officials

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra

A total of 116 key officials at Pematang Siantar municipality closed ranks on Thursday to say that they remained under the command of mayor Marim Purba, even though the Minister of Home Affairs had already suspended him and appointed deputy mayor Kurnia Rajasa Saragih as acting mayor in the municipality.

The move was taken only a day after Kurnia distributed a circular on Wednesday to all officials in the municipality, saying that he had taken the helm of Pematang Siantar municipality following the Minister's decree.

However, the officials rejected the Minister of Home Affairs' orders, arguing that the orders were not yet finalized, so Marim should remain the mayor of Pematang Siantar.

In a statement signed by the 116 officials, they argued that North Sumatra governor T. Rizal Nurdin had not yet endorsed the Minister's decision.

"Besides, the governor is still clarifying the Minister's decision by sending him a letter, but the Minister has not given an answer yet," said Benar Sitepu, who heads the City Market Agency, the spokesman for the 116 officials.

Among those officials who threw their weight behind the ousted mayor, Marim Purba, were the head of city's Public Works Agency, Romauli Panjaitan, the head of city's Manpower Agency, Binner Turnip and the head of city's Trade and Industry Agency Pande Jhonny Marpaung.

Marim was suspended after a report that he was charged with corruption in the mark up of the Horas market construction project here -- involving Rp 700 million (US$82,352) -- last year.

However, the Pematang Siantar District Court acquitted Marim of all charges recently, although prosecutors had sought four years in prison for him.

Kurnia could not be reached for comment on Thursday.