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.