Gafur, Fadel in Mega's hands

JAKARTA: Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno said on Wednesday that concern over the delayed inauguration of governors Abdul Gafur of North Maluku and Fadel Mohammad of Gorontalo could trigger local political unrest.

He said a team of ministers in charge of local administrations had presented a report to President Megawati Soekarnoputri on their track records.

"The final decision is with the President," Hari told journalists after attending a meeting on political and security affairs.

The elections of Gafur and Fadel, both Golkar Party figures, as governors, became controversial after many local councillors opposed them. Gafur was suspected of indulging in money politics to win the seat, while Fadel, president of PT Bukaka, is facing a bankruptcy suit.--JP