Governor mum on suspension motion

Governor mum on suspension motion

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Embattled East Kalimantan Governor
Suwarna Abdul Fatah chose on Wednesday not to address directly a
motion by the East Kalimantan provincial council calling for his
suspension over graft allegations.

"I leave the matter to the Ministry of Home Affairs," said
Suwarna.

Suwarna has been under pressure since last month after he was
questioned as part of a corruption investigation. Ensuing
protests prompted the East Kalimantan council to call a plenary
session, during which most factions supported a decision to file
a motion with the President calling for the governor's
suspension.

The governor has said he is not the target of the
investigation by the Corruption Eradication Commission, but was
merely questioned as a witness in the case. The case centers on
Suwarna's decision to exempt a large plantation company from
paying regreening fees to the government. -- JP