Kepri regental election 'invalid'

PEKANBARU, Riau: The Riau Island (Kepri) regency legislative council has asked Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno to accept the Supreme Court ruling that the election for regent on Oct. 23, 2002, was invalid.

The Supreme Court recently accepted a suit filed by 14 political parties against the government for its acceptance of the results of the election, which the parties said was not held in line with the instructions of the Riau governor.

The chairman of the council, Andi Anhar Chalid, said both the minister and the governor should annul the election of Huzrin Hood in compliance with the Supreme Court's decision.

Huzrin was elected in a poll that he himself presided over. The political parties objected to the election because it was held while the council was still being revamped after separating from Tanjungbalai Karimun regency.

The political parties filed an appeal with the Supreme Court after the State Administrative Court in East Jakarta turned down their suit.

Huzrin is also facing corruption charges over the leakage of Rp 87.2 billion from the regency's 2002 budget. -- JP