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)