Governor must resign: NGOs

PADANG, West Sumatra: A group of 16 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) demanded on Friday that West Sumatra Governor Zainal Bakar step down following charges that he is involved in a corruption case.

The governor needed to resign to expedite the investigation into his case, said the group of NGOs in a statement that was made available to the media. The governor was earlier named a suspect for his alleged role in the misuse of Rp 6.4 billion (US$680,851) out of the local budget by the West Sumatra provincial council.

Besides the governor, 43 councillors on the provincial council were earlier named suspects in the case. The councillors have been convicted, but remain free pending an appeal to the Supreme Court. -- JP