Fired Aceh governor declines Bappenas job

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): The outgoing Aceh governor Syamsuddin Mahmud lashed out on Monday at President Abdurrahman Wahid for unseating him for unclear reasons.

Speaking to the media here after arrival from Jakarta, Syamsuddin labeled the presidential decree upholding his removal as a legally baseless decision.

"I was forced to resign by the President. The decree is unacceptable because it violates both the regional autonomy law and the Home Affairs Ministry decree No. 2/2000 that confirms my appointment as Aceh's governor," he said.

The presidential decree states that Syamsuddin will be replaced by Ramli Ridwan, a senior official at the Ministry of Home Affairs. Syamsuddin has been given a state post in Jakarta as a deputy to the head of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas).

But Syamsuddin said he has declined the new job and opted to return to campus instead.

He is a professor from the state Syah Kuala University.

"The post in Bappenas requires a maximum age of 60 years, while I'm already 65. I'm afraid my appointment will trigger protests against Gus Dur," he said in reference to the President, who is now abroad.

Earlier in the day, about 100 students rallied at the provincial legislature to demand the disbanding of the council for paving the way for Syamsuddin's removal with their vote of no confidence.

Despite his objection to the dismissal, Syamsuddin, who took office in 1993, said he would attend the handover ceremony on Wednesday.

In Jakarta, State Minister of Regional Autonomy Ryaas Rasyid said the President's approval of Syamsuddin's dismissal was in line with the local people's aspirations.

According to article 50 of Regional Autonomy Law No. 22/1999 a governor is dismissed with the consent of two thirds of provincial councilors before the decision is submitted and approved by the President.

However the regulation also states that a governor can be dismissed for being convicted of violating the law or involved in a case which leads to a vote of no confidence by the provincial legislature.

In an unusual condition, as stated in article 51, the President is entitled to suspend the governor directly if the governor is found guilty by a court and has to serve at least five years in jail.(50/edt/jun/bby)