Mob ravages Kampar regent's office

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Hundreds of angry protesters attacked the office of Kampar Regent Jefri Noer on Monday, protesting his intention to remain in office despite impeachment by the regency's legislative council (DPRD).

They banged the windows and took Jefri's chair away to be destroyed. Office staff fled the violence, but later returned to work after the situation had calmed down.

The protesters urged Jefri to leave office, claiming that his leadership in the regency was not valid because he had been dismissed by DPRD.

The regency administration had earlier allowed the protesters to stage a demonstration outside the meeting hall in the regent's office complex.

The protesters, however, started to close in on the regent's office at 10 a.m., despite the deployment of security guards. They successfully got past the guards and into the office, Antara reported.

A similar protest was also staged last week to force Jefri and his deputy A. Zakir to leave office. At that time, the protesters warned of potential violence should Jefri refused to relinquish his position.

DPRD voted on Oct. 12, 2002, to kick Jefri and Zakir out of office. Thirty councillors -- of a total 45 -- voted for the dismissal.

The decision was based on a number of considerations, including the pair's poor performance over the past 11 months and the disclosure that Jefri's senior technical school diploma was a fake.