Kendari mayor, deputy sworn in

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Southeast Sulawesi Governor Ali Mazi swore in Lukman Abunawas as the new mayor of Kendari and Tony Herbiansyah as his deputy despite allegations of bribery.

Many city's residents have opposed the installment because they alleged the two were involved in money politics during the recent elections.

Abdul Rasyid Tahir who is now under police detention had confessed to accepting Rp 25 million as a bribe to vote in favor of the two during the election held by the municipal legislative council.

According to the law, Lukman and Tony will be suspended if proven guilty.

The governor called on city residents to end the polemic on the mayoralty election to allow them to make progress.

"The development program in the city will stagnate if the people continue to oppose the new city leadership," he said during the swearing-in ceremony.

Ali who was sworn in as governor last December may also stand trial as the government prosecutor's office in the city has grilled several legislators who allegedly accepted bribes from him during the gubernatorial election. -- JP