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)