East Java regent cops flack

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.