NGOs want Sutiyoso dismissed

JAKARTA: Several non-governmental organizations urged President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday to dismiss Governor Sutiyoso because of his alleged involvement in the bloody July 27, 1996, takeover of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) headquarters.

Members of the Poor People of the City, Jakarta Pedicab Drivers Association and the Urban Poor Consortium asked Megawati to be consistent after saying in a televised presidential candidates debate Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh should be declared non-active, pending legal action over his corruption case.

"Sutiyoso has lost his credibility and integrity as the governor," UPC coordinator Wardah Hafidz said.

Sutiyoso was Jakarta Military Commander when the Jakarta PDI-P headquarters were attacked by plainclothes militia suspected of being members of the military. Many people were killed or went missing in the incident. -- Antara