Cirebon mayor's dismissal delayed

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.