PAN expels 8 officials in Padang

PAN expels 8 officials in Padang

Syofiardi Bachyul JB, Padang

The central board of the National Mandate Party (PAN) has
dismissed eight of its West Sumatra councillors who were recently
convicted by the Padang District Court in a graft case involving
43 councillors.

PAN chairman and presidential candidate Amien Rais announced
on Friday he had signed a decree on their dismissal.

Speaking at Tabing Airport here prior to his departure for a
campaign in Bukittinggi, he said the councillors were expelled in
the interest of upholding the party's integrity and discipline.

"I will not dismiss only those convicted in West Sumatra, but
also other PAN members elsewhere. The corruption case here is
odd, as the councillors committed it collectively," Amien said,
but did not elaborate further.

The eight are: West Sumatra Council speaker Arwan Kasri and
councillors Marhadi Efendi, Hasan Yunus, Malik Ismail, Achir
Khair, Khaidir Khatib Bandaro, Abdul Manaf Thaher and Alfian.

The Padang District Court convicted them on May 17 along with
35 other members of the 55-strong council for their roles in
abusing Rp 6.4 billion (US$750,000) of the provincial budget.

Arwan and his two deputies, from other parties, were sentenced
to 2.3 years' imprisonment and fined Rp 100 million, while the
remaining 40 councillors each received a two-year sentence.

PAN secretary-general Patrialis Akbar said the decision to
expel the eight councillors was made on June 9 in accordance with
the party's commitment to maintain supremacy of law.

When asked about the fate of Marhadi, who was reelected in the
April 5 legislative election despite his conviction, Patrialis
said he would be required "to quit voluntarily", because he had
been expelled from the party.

Marhadi refused to comment on his dismissal when contacted by
The Jakarta Post.

Meanwhile, noted academic Saldi Isra' said PAN's decision to
dismiss its convicted members should be heeded positively by
other parties in a combined effort against corruption.

"Measures like this should not be taken only by PAN, but other
parties also... And not only in West Sumatra, but also other
provinces throughout the country because this would set a
precedent and be a lesson for other corruptors," he said.

Isra' is the coordinator of the Concern for West Sumatra Forum
(FPSB), which first disclosed the high-profile graft scam.

He also said former PAN councillor Marhadi should
automatically be scrapped by the General Elections Commission
from the list of new legislative members for the 2004-2009 term.

It is a condition that legislative seats can be held only by
those party members who are nominated to the legislature by their
own party, Isra' said.

PAN's firm stance against its corrupt members is further
expected to boost Amien's image and popularity ahead of the July
5 presidential election.