Government told to be firm against convicted regent
Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam
Deputy speaker of the Riau Islands legislative council Syafaruddin Aluan demanded on Tuesday that Hari Sabarno, the Minister of Home Affairs, annul a government decree endorsing the appointment of Huzrin Hood as the regent of the Riau Islands.
The resolute step was needed in order to end the chaos in the Riau Islands government after Huzrin, the current regent, was convicted and imprisoned for corruption, he said.
"There was a split in the administration after the verdict, which has made the system of governance here ineffective," Syafaruddin said.
Huzrin was jailed by the Tanjung Pinang District Court in early October for two years on charges of corruption involving Rp 3.46 billion (US$407,058) from the regency's 2001 budget.
Huzrin filed an appeal with the Riau High Court after the verdict.
The wheels of government in the regency have largely ground to a halt since the verdict. A group of people who consider Huzrin no longer fit to retain his post after his conviction has demanded that he step down.
Deputy regent Anshar Achmad has also been demanding that Huzrin step down.
Huzrin himself, backed by his staunch supporters, has so far managed to maintain his position. Facing off with the opposition, Huzrin said that he would reshuffle his administration and replace the deputy regent.
Syafaruddin said the ordinary people would be the victims of this messy situation as public services were being badly affected.
"There is no other way to save the people from this situation, except that the minister steps in to annul the decree endorsing the appointment of Huzrin as the regent of the Riau Islands," he said.
Huzrin was elected by Riau councillors, and the government has issued a decree endorsing the election.
Meanwhile, Hendie Devitra, Huzrin's lawyer, defended a recent decision by the Riau High Court placing Huzrin under house arrest.
The decision, which was made at Huzrin's request, was announced on Saturday only 10 days after Huzrin was imprisoned by the Tanjung Pinang court for corruption.
"The decision will make it easier for him to carry out his day-to-day duties as regent," said Hendie.
The decision benefits Huzrin as he no longer has to stay in prison. But, only two days after the decision was made, Huzrin sought more privilege from the High Court on Monday. He filed an application with the High Court to be placed under city arrest in order to give him greater freedom and enable him to carry out his duties as regent.
Hendie said the demand was justified. He said Huzrin remained the legitimate regent -- although he was convicted of graft -- on the ground that the appeal process to the higher court was underway.
Separately, local legal observer Bambang Yulianto urged Huzrin to step down.
"He is no longer fit to serve as regent as he has been convicted of corruption. He must step down to maintain the credibility of the regency administration," he said.