Demands rise for regent's resignation

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.