Gafur admits giving money, but denies giving bribes

MANADO, North Sulawesi (JP): Newly elected North Maluku Governor Abdul Gafur admitted on Sunday he gave money to several members of the provincial legislative council, but denied the money was a bribe.

"I gave a little money to several members of the provincial council... but I never bribed them (to vote for me)," Gafur said at a media conference during a stopover at the Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado, North Sulawesi, before leaving for Jakarta.

Gafur did not specify how much money he gave to the council members.

The sports and youth affairs minister under former president Soeharto was elected governor by the provincial legislature on July 5, with his term to end in 2006.

Waves of protests against Gafur's election hit the provincial capital Ternate shortly after the election result was announced.

Gafur was responding to statements made by a member of the provincial council, Muhammad Sufino, who said he received Rp 66 million from Gafur and Deputy Governor Yamin Tawari before the election.

According to Gafur, a former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, rumors of bribery were being spread to try and force him out of office.

"It shows that the people of North Maluku are not ready for democracy," he said, adding that the election was held in accordance with all rules and was very democratic.

The chairman of the Golkar faction on the provincial council, Muchtar Balakum, defended Gafur, saying the money was meant to "facilitate and to give spirit to the council members in carrying out their daily duties".

"I think it is natural for someone like Abdul Gafur to give money to fellow Golkar members because he is also one of the party's executives," Muchtar said.

A plenary meeting of the legislative council was held to discuss the allegations of money politics in the election. The meeting concluded that there was no proof that Gafur was involved in the practice, Muchtar claimed.

Accompanying Gafur at the media conference was the chairman of North Maluku's Love the Nation Democratic Party, Rev. Soselissa, who said he would push the minister of home affairs to immediately install Gafur as governor.

Gafur said his first priority as governor would be to return refugees from the North Maluku islands to their hometowns, promising that his administration would guarantee the security of the refugees and help them rebuild their homes. (48/emf)