Bantul Council finally agrees to axe Sri Roso
Bantul Council finally agrees to axe Sri Roso
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Bantul Council (DPRD) unanimously agreed to
sack Regent Sri Roso Sudarmo yesterday after he admitted offering
bribes to smooth his election to another term in office.
The unanimous decision was taken during the second special
plenary session of the council which was attended by all members
except one, Sri Roso's brother, who asked permission to be
excused.
"The Bantul council will form a team to meet with the Minister
of Home Affairs to ask him to grant the wish of local residents
and remove Sri Roso," council speaker Mansur S. said yesterday.
The council's decision was initially expected on Friday, but
was delayed when Golkar council members walked out of the session
after hearing Sri Roso's explanation of his behavior.
The council asked the regent if it was true that he signed a
letter promising the Dharmais foundation, chaired by former
president Soeharto, Rp 1 billion if he could serve another term
in office.
Mansur said Sri Roso admitted signing the letter during the
hearing.
"He himself admitted writing and signing the letter which
states he would make the contribution after being reelected. That
is a clear violation of his oath as a public servant," Mansur
argued pointing to Article 14 paragraph 4 of Law No. 5/1974 which
forbids offering or accepting gifts and other items to secure
position or personal advancement.
Mansur added that given the evidence against him, it would not
have been possible for the council to continue to support the
corrupt regent.
The council also urged the attorney general and police to
reopen their investigation into the murder of Yogyakarta based
Bernas journalist Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin yesterday.
While there is not yet any evidence to implicate the regent in
the 1996 murder, Fuad was known to be investigating official
corruption in Bantul.
"No leads should be left uninvestigated and all those who may
be able to help police with their enquiries, including Sri Roso
Sudarmo, should be questioned. The true culprit and motive must
be discovered," Mansur asserted.
Police initially forwarded a rather dubious dossier and case
against Dwi Sumaji, whom they claimed was the murderer. The
public prosecutor's office eventually accepted the police case,
but only after rejecting it several times.
The case was later thrown out of court after it transpired
that the police had insufficient evidence to bring Dwi to
trial.
Yesterday's decision by the council was greeted with relief by
Bantul residents.
A group of university students who had gathered with a large
crowd at the council building, immediately rushed to the podium
when the council meeting ended and began to sing the national
anthem.
"This is proof of the councillors dedication and sensitivity
to the aspirations of the people," Herry Sebayang, who headed the
student group, said. (44)