Fadhilah sworn in as regent, PKB boycotts inauguration

Fadhilah sworn in as regent, PKB boycotts inauguration

Ainur R.Sophiaan, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya

The reelected Sampang, Madura, regent Fadhilah Budiono was
finally sworn-in during a heavily-guarded ceremony at the East
Java Gubernatorial Grahadi Hall in Surabaya on Saturday, after a
15-month delay.

A large number of police officers were ready inside and
outside the hall to anticipate possible protests by anti-Fadhilah
groups. The ceremony, however, took place in a peaceful manner.

The ceremony, led by Governor Imam Utomo, was boycotted by all
22 provincial legislative members from the National Awakening
Party (PKB) faction who remain opposed to Fadhilah's installation
as regent.

The PKB faction claims Fadhilah is corrupt and highlight the
fact that he still stands legally accused of manipulating
humanitarian aid (for Madurese refugees) and keeping large
amounts of the donated commodities for his own enrichment during
his first tenure as Sampang regent in 1999.

Bursting into tears, Fadhilah and his deputy Said Hidayat
performed their customary bow in front of the guests attending
the ceremony.

"There will soon be islah (peaceful solution) with those who
are still against me. It's normal in democracy," said Fadhilah.

"It is a very emotional moment for me. The induction was like
an exploding ulcer. I'm ready to be tried," Fadhilah told
reporters after the ceremony, referring to his ongoing corruption
investigation led by the prosecutors' office.

Fadhilah, a retired Police Senior Commissioner, is accused of
skimming off 800 tons of donated rice intended for Madurese
displaced and living in makeshift camps due to social unrest in
Kalimantan.

The East Java Provincial Prosecutors' Office will soon
complete Fadhilah's dossier and the case will be tried soon.

Despite the allegation, Fadhilah and Said won 23 of 45 votes
in the provincial legislature in July of 2000 for the Sampang
Regent post and his deputy.

Fadhilah's victory evoked the anger of PKB legislators. The
anger had turned to street protests by PKB supporters in Madura.

Fadhilah's supporters retaliated with more fierce
demonstrations.

The then-Minister of Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy
Surjadi Soedirdja issued a decree on Sept. 22, 2000 to install
Fadhilah for a second term. However, the inauguration ceremony
had yet to take place due to waves of protests.

Governor Imam Utomo said that Fadhilah's inauguration was
based on the Sept. 22 Decree. "The decree is legal. The
inauguration ceremony is another thing. I received instructions
from (the current) Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno that
Fadhilah's induction must be held before Oct. 15, 2001."

Asked about the corruption charges against Fadhilah, Imam said
that things would depend on the outcome of the legal proceedings.
"Whether or not Fadhilah will be suspended while the court
hearing is taking place will depend on the Minister of Home
Affairs. The minister will make a decision following a legal
recommendation."

Fadhilah said that he was now eager to start the trial. "I
have learned that a government official cannot be suspended while
he or she is being tried as a defendant in a criminal case,"
Fadhilah said.