Kendari mayor, deputy sworn in

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