Madurese stage protest at Golkar office over Sampang

Madurese stage protest at Golkar office over Sampang

JAKARTA (JP): The speaker of the House of Representatives
Akbar Tandjung's recent suggestion that the newly-elected Sampang
regent Fadhilah Budiono be allowed to take his position despite a
heated dispute, has drawn strong reaction from the Madurese
community in Jakarta.

A group of Madurese marched to the Golkar Party headquarters
in Slipi, West Jakarta, demanding that Akbar withdraw his
statements which they felt were controversial.

Akbar is also chairman of the Golongan Karya (Golkar) Party.

Waving banners and posters criticizing Akbar and Golkar, they
said Akbar had created more tension in Sampang, Madura and that
his statements could create unrest among Madurese.

The protesters did not meet any party official and dispersed
after holding an oration.

On Thursday, the team examining the dispute over Fadhilah's
election, recommended the Ministry of Home Affairs ask the
Supreme Court to issue a final decision on the matter.

The team coordinator, Abdul Hamid, said on Thursday in
Surabaya that the team members failed to reach an agreement on
whether last July's election of Fadhilah Budiono as regent of
Sampang was legal.

"After a week's time, the team could not give a final decision
on the issue. That's why we are handing the case back to the
Ministry of Home Affairs," said Abdul Hamid, who is also a deputy
governor of East Java.

However, Hamid said the team had not failed. "There is a very
serious legal point that needs to be clarified by an authorized
institution. Therefore, we recommend that the Supreme Court give
the final (legal) decision."

The team was established following an emergency meeting of
East Java Governor Imam Utomo, Minister of Home Affairs Surjadi
Soedirdja and President Abdurrahman Wahid last week.

The team consists of officials from the Ministry of Home
Affairs, the East Java administration, the National Police, the
Brawijaya Military Command and the provincial prosecutor's
office.

Fadhilah, who has the support of the 12-member United
Development Party (PPP) faction in the regency legislative
council, secured 23 of the 45 votes in the regent election.

The National Awakening Party (PKB) faction which has 18
members in the council, rejected Fadhilah's victory, saying he
was involved in a swindle.

Fadhilah, a police senior superintendent, was scheduled to be
installed as regent on Sept. 6 but the ceremony was abruptly
canceled following a protest by PKB supporters.

Fadhilah's supporters had earlier taken to the streets to
demand that he be installed.

A political observer at Surabaya's Airlangga University,
Ariwibowo, said if the central government was consistent in its
support of regional autonomy, it would leave the dispute to the
regional administration. "It will be an honor for the region to
settle its own problems," he was quoted by Kompas daily as
saying. (nur/sur)