Anti-graft protest dispersed in Kupang

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Police officers in the East Nusa Tenggara capital of Kupang forcefully dispersed a crowd of people who were protesting against the regent at the Larantuka Diocese.

The police measures were ordered to prevent possible conflicts between the supporters of East Flores regent Felix Fernandez and his opponents.

Chief of East Nusa Tenggara police Brig. Gen. Edward Aritonang said that the protest was led by local priest, Frans Amanuen.

Frans was several months ago convicted in a defamation suit filed by Felix after the priest publicly accused the regent of corruption. A large portion of the local population, apparently enraged by the verdict, then proceeded to burn down the court house compound.

"We dispersed the protesters and their opponents, in order to prevent possible bloodshed," he said.

During the rally, the protesters lambasted the regent over the several alleged graft cases, which have not been investigated by the authorities.

"The residents should not be emotional and should show self restraint. Even the Larantuka council has decided not to demand that the regent present his annual accountability speech," said Aritonang.

The Coalition of the Society for Eradicating Corruption, through its coordinator Pater Piet Nuong, said that the forced dispersal symbolized that the supremacy of law was not respected in the country.

On Sunday, most of the streets in Larantuka were deserted, as many people were still afraid to leave home due to regular patrol by the police who have been arresting people with certain ID cards. --JP