East Java regent cops flack

JAKARTA: Forty religious teachers from Banyuwangi, East Java, and activists of the youth branch of the largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) on Monday met legislators here to demand that their regent resign.

Antara reported they met with House Commission II, which among other offices deals with the Ministry of Home Affairs, and conveyed a petition asking for regent Purnomo Sidik to quit.

The regent, who holds the rank of colonel in the Armed Forces, has been accused of being partly responsible for the killing spree claiming more then 100 victims including several religious teachers who are also NU members.

After the meeting, the delegates, led by Abdurrahman Hasan, said the petition for the regent's resignation was based on the fact that he has been unable to settle the murders.

The legislators were asked to convey the petition to Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid.

They also planned to meet the minister and also legislators in the Golkar and Armed Forces faction.

Secretary-general of the NU youth organization, Azwar Anas, said a similar motion to the Banyuwangi council had not received a response. The religious teachers said Purnomo swindled them, as their signatures, which were requested in a post-Idul Fitri gathering with him, were allegedly given to the Minister as proof of their support for him.