Anti-graft protest dispersed in Kupang

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