Caretaker governor installed

PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): A demonstration accompanied the installing of West Sumatra's caretaker governor on Saturday in protest over what was seen as a symbol of the central government's arrogance.

The protest took place outside the provincial legislature where Maj.Gen. D. Dunidja was being officiated as caretaker governor by Acting Minister of Home Affairs Feisal Tanjung. The current minister, Syarwan Hamid, is on pilgrimage.

Governor Muchlis Ibrahim resigned after protesting Syarwan's appointment of Zainal Bakar as deputy governor. Muchlis said he did not approve of Zainal. Muchlis accused Syarwan of violating the rules. The law on regional administration states candidates for deputy governors are forwarded by provincial legislatures and approved by the respective governor.

Security personnel blocked students from entering the legislature. Student leaders urged colleagues to retreat to avoid possible injuries. Security was tight in the city ahead of the installment ceremony.

Representatives of local organizations here have said they wanted a caretaker governor who hailed from the province.

"He won't be in office for long. I guarantee that Dunidja has no chance of becoming governor. A caretaker hailing from the province would cause complications as he might want to be renamed as a candidate for governor," Feisal said.

People will elect a new governor after the June general election, he said.

Dunidja is the director general of sociopolitical affairs at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

A ministry official said last week that caretaker governors were barred from running for the position of governor.

As a rule, a caretaker governor would be the director general of administration and provincial autonomy. However, the incumbent, Ryaas Rasid, has said he was too busy monitoring preparations for the June polls and deliberating bills on regional autonomy and fiscal balance. (28)