Ngada regent not installed

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The official ceremony to install the newly elected Ngada regent Piet Nuwa Wea and his deputy Nikolaus Dopo was postponed indefinitely on Monday due to the absence of a decree from the Minister of Home Affairs.

The delay was caused by the alleged forgery of ballot papers during the July election, the legal proceedings over which are still in process.

Spokesman of the Ngada Election Commission, Bernaditus Deby Ngebu, said the inauguration was planned for Monday and he did not know when it would eventually take place.

"According to the regulations on elections, the inauguration should take place between Aug. 29 and Sept. 8," Ngebu said.

He claimed the residents were disappointed with the delay, knowing the minister issued decrees to install five other newly elected regents in East Nusa Tenggara province.

"The minister has to explain why the decree to install Ngada regent has not been issued. If there's conflict, it should be taken care of," said Erasmus Naggi, a Ngada resident.

Governor Piet A. Tallo installed West Manggarai Regent Wilfridus Fidelis Pranda and his deputy Agustinus Ch Dula on Monday, while on Saturday, Simon Hayon and Yoseph Lagadoni Herin were installed as East Flores regent and deputy regent respectively. -- JP