New protest sparks up in Kampar

New protest sparks up in Kampar

Puji Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Kampar

New rounds of protests have broken out in Kampar regency on
Thursday following a report that a minister had given his
approval for ousted Kampar Regent Jefri Noer to resume office.
The protesters came from two different camps; one group
supporting the minister's decision, the other opposing it. Each
group consisted of around 20 people.

The protest began in the morning as councillors at Kampar
regental council were holding a meeting to discuss a report
concerning the minister's decision.

Fearing possible violent clashes, police personnel ordered
pro-Jefri protesters into the council building, while their
rivals were ordered to stay put outside.

Meanwhile, in the plenary meeting, councillors decided to
oppose the minister's action, and re-endorsed their earlier
decision that led to the Kampar Regent being ousted from office.
"The result of the meeting will be conveyed to the Minister of
Home Affairs Mohammad Ma'ruf," said councillor Syafrizal.

Pro-Jefri protesters stayed put inside the council building
until the afternoon.

Jefri was dismissed by the regency council last year after it
passed a motion of no confidence against him.

The ousted regent's troubles began last year after he ordered
a senior teacher out of a meeting after the man questioned him
about the low education budget in the regency.

Viewed as arrogant, Jefri soon faced massive protests by
students and teachers. The protests shut down much of the regency
and gained national attention.

A year after the dismissal, a senior official at Riau
provincial administration, who requested anonymity, suddenly
reported that the Minister of Home Affairs had issued a decree
stating that Jefri could resume office on Thursday.