Batam mayor allegedly corrupt

Batam mayor allegedly corrupt

BATAM, Riau: The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) has threatened a demonstration involving thousands of its members, unless Batam's legislative council investigates the alleged role of Batam Mayor Nyat Kadir in a collusion scandal.

Kadir, his deputy Asman Abnur and Golkar Party Batam branch chairman M. Amin have been accused of committing corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) practices in appointing officials to strategic posts.

Earlier, the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) said that the mayor's office had signed a secret joint agreement on Feb. 12, 2001, requiring that Kadir and Asman consult with the city's Golkar leaders before appointing officials to some strategic positions.

"We have demanded that the Batam legislative body set up a special committee to investigate the finding of ICW," Kusbandrew, a spokesman for the local PDI Perjuangan branch, said.

Should the House turn down the request, he added, PDI Perjuangan will mobilize thousands of its members to demonstrate against the local government and the legislative body. --Antara