Cirebon mayor's dismissal delayed
Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon, West Java
Cirebon mayor Subardi and his deputy Agus Al Wafier are still in power, despite the legislature issuing a recommendation on Dec. 17, 2003 for their ouster, because of a bureaucratic slip-up.
The puzzling matter was raised at a meeting in Jakarta between Director General for Public Administration and Regional Autonomy Oentarto Sindung Mawardi at the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Cirebon legislative council on Thursday, which was also attended by home minister Hari Sabarno.
Oentarto clarified that the ministry had received only the third and last letter sent by the Cirebon legislature recently, while the first two letters did not reach his office.
"They had known of the proposed dismissal of the mayor only through the mass media, so could not process the proposal merely upon the basis of publicized information," legislature chairman Suryana quoted Oentarto as saying.
He added that the ministry could not process the last letter on the recommended dismissal, because it lacked supporting documents.
Suryana said he and his three deputies were confused by the director general's explanation, because the Cirebon legislature had delivered its first letter two days after a plenary session at the West Java governor's office.
"Something is wrong with the bureaucracy in West Java or Jakarta, or I suspect there might be sabotage that involves the bureaucracy in an attempt to foil the dismissal," he said, adding that the minister was also confused by the first two letters' disappearance, and had called for a thorough investigation to prevent similar cases in the future.
Suryana and deputies Haries Sutamin, Soenaryo HW and Wawan Wanija said that during the meeting, both Hari and Oentarto appreciated the important step taken by the Cirebon legislature to recommend the mayor's removal, and pledged to provide an immediate response.
"While waiting for a decision from the central government, the mayor and his deputy are still leading Cirebon, but they are not allowed to make important decisions or policies. Luck is still on their side, because their fates have yet to be decided," he said.
Soenaryo said his delegation explained to the home minister the violations the two officials had committed after assuming their posts in January 2003.
"The mayor's biggest sin is abuse of power and corruption. Further, the mayor has also abused his power by replacing almost all senior officials for unclear reasons. The mayor and his deputy have frequently been absent from the office for unclear reasons, and this has raised confusion among his subordinates," he said.