Demands rise for regent's resignation

SURABAYA: East Java Governor Imam Utomo said on Saturday that he had recommended the withdrawal of a regent following public pressure for his resignation over his alleged involvement in the killings of over 100 people in the province.

Regent Purnomo Sidik reportedly issued instructions last year to list all suspected practitioners of black magic. Purnomo claimed the list was intended to protect the alleged practitioners. However, the move has been blamed for the deaths of many of those on the list, as well as many others in the province.

Antara quoted the governor as saying he made the recommendation to Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid, and that he was soon to meet the minister to discuss the issue.

"What's important is that the method will be constitutional. There are many ways to pursue this move, such as through the local council or by a ministerial decree because it was the minister who appointed the regent," Imam said.

Imam also met Choirul Anam, chairman of the fact-finding team set up by the Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama to investigate the killings. Many of the victims of the killings were members of Nahdlatul Ulama.

Choirul said he had also met the military commander of Brawijaya, Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu, on Friday. Choirul said he believed the commander would make a similar recommendation to the commander of the Armed Forces, Gen. Wiranto. The regent is a colonel in the Armed Forces.

Antara reported that crowds representing 21 districts came in turns to the council demanding the regent's resignation.