Kampar regency again paralyzed after violent protest

Kampar regency again paralyzed after violent protest

Haidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, Riau

Teachers and civil servants in Kampar staged strikes against
Kampar Regent Jefri Noer on Wednesday, a day after a violent
clash with police that left two students with serious gunshot
wounds.

The strikes again paralyzed schools and public services across
the regency, some 60 kilometers west of the Riau provincial
capital, Pekanbaru.

Demonstrators said they were protesting against the Minister
of Home Affairs, Hari Sabarno, for not meeting their demands the
central government endorse the dismissal of Jefri.

Protest coordinator M. Idris said the strikes would continue
indefinitely if the central government refused to endorse the
dismissal.

Separately, Riau Governor Rusli Zainal said he would ask the
Kampar government secretary to temporarily take over the wheels
of bureaucracy in Kampar.

The move was arranged as Hari issued a ruling that prohibited
Jefri from making any strategic decisions until his case was
resolved.

"The secretary has to take care of the Kampar bureaucracy in
order to prevent the loss of public services," Rusli said. He
urged the teachers and students to resume classes, saying the
ongoing strike would cost the students dearly.

Hari had contacted him, saying that the case would be resolved
after the April 5 elections, Rusli said. "While waiting for the
decision, the students and teachers should resume classes," he
said.

Kampar streets on Wednesday were largely deserted as hundreds
of police remained vigilant in the Mahligai Bungsu Building
compound where thousands of protesters had gathered on Tuesday.

Police opened fire on the protesters on Tuesday angered at
their slow dispersal. Two students were shot and five were
arrested in the incident.

The ongoing action by teachers, students and civil servants in
the regency during the past two months has also disrupted
businesses.

Irvan, a contractor in the regency, complained that he could
not set up his business plan as Jefri had yet to file 2004 budget
proposal to the Kampar regency council.

The problems in Kampar began last month when Jefri ordered a
teacher to leave a meeting room after the teacher questioned him
about the regency's low budget for education.

The order was perceived as an insult to the teaching
profession by teachers and students in the regency, and it was
followed by a series of large protests. The Kampar Regency
Council then dismissed Jefri from his post.

Jefri has been target of public anger before following several
incidents that reduced his popularity among the public, including
an allegation he had used a fake high school diploma when he
contested the regent's post two years ago.