PDI-P candidate loses, Mega stops inauguration

PDI-P candidate loses, Mega stops inauguration

Yuli Tri Suwarni and Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Bandung/Ambon

The central government has delayed the inauguration of West Java
governor-elect Danny Setiawan and his deputy Nu'man Abdul Hakim,
without explanation, but one legislator alleged that party
politics and sour grapes were behind the move.

The outgoing governor R. Nuriana's tenure was extended for a
month.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has yet to issue a decree on
the inauguration of Danny and his deputy which was scheduled for
June 9.

The delay of the new governor's inauguration has raised
confusion among local politicians, but according to Article 49 of
Law No. 22 on regional autonomy the President has full authority
to accept or to reject governors elected by provincial
legislatures.

Nuriana, whose term of office was to officially end on June 8
received a telegram from Home Minister Hari Sabarno, which called
for his tenure to be extended until July 8. He also must report
his daily activities directly to the home minister and would not
be allowed to make decisions on important matters.

Nuriana confirmed on Monday that he received the telegram and
he would hold a hearing with the council to discuss the agenda
for the next month.

Chairman of the provincial legislature Eka Santosa said he was
not shocked by central government's decision as the home minister
had signaled that a delay of the new governor's inauguration was
possible when the gubernatorial election committee met with him
in Jakarta recently.

"We will go to Jakarta immediately to get certainty of the new
governor's inauguration. The President has the authority to make
such a decision, but the council representing the West Java
people has a right to question that decision," he said.

Koerdi Moekri, deputy chairman of the provincial legislature,
expressed his confusion over the central government's decision,
saying a clear explanation about the delay of the new governor's
inauguration was urgent to avoid unrest among local people.

A councillor who asked for anonymity said the delay was
directly related to the defeat of Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) candidates in the gubernatorial
election. Megawati is the chairwoman of PDI Perjuangan.

Tayo Tarmadi and his running mate Rudy Harsa Tanaya were
nominated by PDI Perjuangan and the National Awakening Party
(PKB) but were defeated by Danny and Nu'man who were nominated by
the Golkar Party and United Development Party (PPP).

Tayo garnered 39 of 100 votes while Danny received 49. As many
as eleven legislators, several of whom were believed to be PDI
Perjuangan councillors, abstained and another walked out without
voting.

In another local election, Maluku provincial legislature
chairman Zeth Sahuburua said that the council was making
preliminary preparations for the gubernatorial election which had
been delayed since September 2002 for security reasons.

He said the council had made rulings on gubernatorial
elections and the election schedule that would be sent to the
civilian emergency administration to gain approval.

The central government appointed Sinyo Herman Sarundayang as
acting governor to replace Saleh Latuconsina whose term ended
last September, until the council elects a permanent governor for
the 2003-2008 period.