Central Java Governor Appoints Eko Sapto as Acting Regent of Sukoharjo

Semarang (ANTARA) - Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi has appointed Deputy Regent of Sukoharjo Eko Sapto Purnomo as Acting Regent of Sukoharjo, after Regent Etik Suryani was named a suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

“We have appointed the acting official, namely the deputy. That is in accordance with the law,” he said on the sidelines of a Coordination Meeting and Field Monitoring on the Control of Agricultural Land Conversion and Waste Management at the Gradhika Bhakti Praja Building in Semarang on Monday.

According to prevailing legislation, he said, the acting position is filled by the deputy regional head so that governance can continue to run.

He assured that public services at the Sukoharjo Regency Government would continue after the appointment of the acting regent.

“The acting official was appointed yesterday; no position may be left vacant. Our principle is that if there is law enforcement by the KPK or other parties in the regencies or cities, public services must not be disrupted,” he said.

He said various preventive measures had been taken, ranging from guidance programmes, the signing of memoranda of understanding (MoU), to integrity pacts with regional heads.

“We have reminded them and continue to remind them. If, after being reminded, after making an MoU, after signing an integrity pact, they still commit violations, then the consequences are the responsibility of the person concerned,” he said.

He also stated that he respects the legal process carried out by the KPK, because law enforcement against an individual must not hinder the running of government or services to the public.

“Those who commit offences bear the responsibility. There is no impact on the institution, and governance continues,” he said.