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)