Banten governor passes the baton

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post/Tangerang

Suspended Banten governor Djoko Munandar officially handed over power to deputy Ratu Atut Choisiah on Thursday before he goes on trial for corruption charges at the Serang District Court.

"The handing over ceremony took place on Thursday evening in capital city of Serang and was witnessed by the provincial council Speaker Adi Surya Dharma and the provincial administration secretary Chaeron Muchsin," Banten administration spokesman Kurdi Matin told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

The handover was made following the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 169/M/2005 on Oct. 10 on the suspension of Djoko as Banten governor and the appointment of Ratu Atut as the acting governor.

Both Djoko and Ratu Atut received the copies of the decree at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday.

"Pak Djoko Munandar could wisely accept the Presidential Decree on his temporary dismissal as he can fully concentrate on his case at the court," Kurdi said.

Djoko was declared non-active governor by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Oct. 11.

He is named a suspect for his alleged involvement in the misuse of Rp 14 billion in funds taken from the administration's 2003 budget to built a housing complex for councillors.

When new councillors for the 2004-2009 period took office in October last year, no housing complex had been built.

Former council speaker Dharmono K. Lawi, his deputy Mufrodi Muchsin and Muslim Jamaludin have been sentenced to four-and-a -half year's jail each by the court last month in the case.