Bantul regent's involvement in mystical deal confirmed
Bantul regent's involvement in mystical deal confirmed
JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday slammed a
Central Java regent for allegedly promising a local soothsayer Rp
1 billion (US$420,700) if he helped him get re-elected for a
second term.
Secretary-general of the ministry Suryatna Subrata said
Bantul Regent Sri Roso Sudarmo had made a mistake giving the
promise, but said the ministry would not punish him because the
"illegal" transaction had not yet been conducted.
"It is wrong for a government official to seek the help of
outsiders for his career development. It is against the civil
servants' oath," Suryatna said.
"We have reprimanded him," Suryatna said.
Sri Roso who won his second term of office was recently
reported to have signed a letter promising money to a local
figure in exchange for his re-election.
The regent has been at the heart of a controversy over the
August murder of Bernas journalist Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin, also
called Udin. Some people have alleged that Udin was murdered
because of his critical reporting on the regent's development
policies and financial management.
Sri Roso had rejected speculations linking him to the murder.
He had also said he had never promised anyone money.
After attending the opening ceremony of a Pancasila Course at
the Presidential Palace, Suryatna said yesterday the ministry had
instructed Inspector General Soedardjat Nataatmadja to
investigate the regent's alleged malpractice.
Soedardjat was the first official to comment on the regent's
alleged deal with the soothsayer. He revealed in a recent
hearing with House Commission II, which deals with home affairs,
that the alleged deal took place before the re-election.
Suryatna denied speculations that the regent's deal was
connected with Udin's death.
Udin, known for his critical reporting, was attacked at his
home on Aug. 13. He died three days later without regaining
consciousness.
The police maintain the murder had nothing to do with the
journalist's job. They arrested Dwi Sumaji, a driver at a local
advertising firm, and accused him of killing Udin in a jealous
rage.
The Indonesian Journalists Association established its own
fact-finding team which found Udin was murdered because of his
reporting on land disputes and the mismanagement of poverty
alleviation program funds in the Bantul regency, Yogyakarta.
The National Commission on Human Rights, which also
established a fact-finding team, said it doubted police had
caught the real killer. (imn)