Hundreds protest at Riau governor's office

PEKANBARU, Riau: Around 700 people, who claimed to be the supporters of the dismissed Kampar regent, Jefri Noer, descended on the Riau governor's office in Pekanbaru on Monday, protesting the governor's endorsement of Jefri's dismissal.

They also demanded that Jefri and his deputy Zakir be reinstated.

Hundreds of people, claiming to be from four districts in Kampar, arrived on two trucks and 14 mini buses and immediately stormed the office, which was tightly guarded by police personnel.

They accused Governor Rusli Zainal of endorsing the Kampar Regental Council's decision to dismiss Jefri Noer, following massive teacher and student protests in the Kampar regency.

They said that the decision and endorsement of the governor were unlawful, because the regent and the deputy regent were never prosecuted or proven guilty before the court.

The protesters were unable to meet the governor, because he was out of town.

Students and teachers had accused Jefri of insulting the teaching profession after he ordered a school principal to leave a meeting two months ago when the principal questioned the low budget for education in the regency.

The Kampar Regency Council dismissed Jefri and Zakir in response to public pressure and the decision was endorsed by both Rusli Zainal and Hari Sabarno, the Minister of Home Affairs. -- Antara