E. Java governor told to stay home

E. Java governor told to stay home

SURABAYA (JP): East Java Governor Imam Utomo canceled a trip
to Malaysia and Thailand after Minister of Home Affairs and
Regional Autonomy Surjadi Soedirdja asked him not to go abroad
while the situation in his province remained unsettled.

Imam told reporters on Friday that the minister asked him not
to go abroad, even for a short period.

The governor was scheduled to leave on Thursday and return to
Surabaya on April 12.

"Some provincial officials and nine provincial legislators
left on Thursday for Malaysia and Thailand," he said.

The governor said he was scheduled to attend the opening of a
trade and handicraft expo in Kuala Lumpur organized by East Java
businesspeople, and visit an agribusiness terminal in Bangkok for
a comparative study.

Imam was asked if the minister's request was in response to a
registration drive in East Java to sign up volunteers to defend
President Abdurrahman Wahid to the death.

However, the governor said "it had nothing to do with that."

"He (the minister) just wants me to focus on the problems in
the province."

Sources have said the National Police chief has instructed the
East Java Police chief to remain vigilant and anticipate
developments.

Governor Imam also criticized the registration drive. "What is
the use of these registrations. Going to Jakarta in a large group
will only worsen the situation. I have called on PKB to review
all of its plan relating to the jihad."

Imam also said he met with the chairman of the Nahdlatul
Ulama's central board, Hasyim Muzadi, on Thursday in Surabaya.

Imam quoted Hasyim as saying the NU supporters who had vowed
to fight for the President to the death were beyond the authority
of the NU.

"That is what the people want," Imam said, quoting Hasyim.

The registration drive is continuing in Surabaya and other
towns in East Java, which is known as a stronghold of the NU, an
organization Abdurrahman chaired for 15 years before being
elected president in 1999. (nur/sur)