Govt reinstates Kampar regent

Govt reinstates Kampar regent

JAKARTA: Minister of Home Affairs M. Ma'ruf on Friday issued a
decree to reinstate the regent of Kampar, Jefry Noor, in Riau
province, who had been suspended following a series of major
protests against him.

The ministerial decree annulled the previous one suspending
Jefry and his deputy H.A. Zakir that was made in April last year.

Ma'ruf argued that an investigation by his office found no
evidence of violations by Jefry, but asked him to ensure the
effectiveness of his regental administration.

Jefry and Zakir were suspended from office by then home
affairs minister Hari Sabarno following demonstrations and
strikes by teachers and students in Kampar.

The strikes were triggered by Jefry's alleged move to expel a
school principal from an official meeting he was chairing. The
expelled teacher had reportedly criticized Jefry's education
policies. --Antara