PDI-P member asks Sutiyoso to step down
PDI-P member asks Sutiyoso to step down
JAKARTA (JP): A councillor on Monday asked Governor Sutiyoso
to take a leave from office as he was named a suspect in the 1996
forcible takeover of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI)
headquarters.
Pantas Nainggolan of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction said the central government
should suspend the governor pending further investigation of the
case.
"From a legal point of view, Sutiyoso should temporarily step
down as his current position will apparently hamper investigation
of the case," Pantas told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
"The case is similar to the one of Gen. (ret) Wiranto, who was
suspended following the investigation of East Timor abuse.
"So the President (Abdurrahman Wahid) should do the same to
Sutiyoso," he added.
Pantas, who is also secretary of the Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction at City Council, said
the upcoming implementation of the Regional Autonomy Law in
January might give more power to City Council to dismiss the
governor over an alleged crime.
"If the court declares him guilty, we will elect a new
governor for the capital," he said.
Deputy council speaker Djafar Badjeber of the United
Development Party (PPP) faction, however, took a cautious stance
on the matter, saying he would first study the case to determine
whether Sutiyoso's status as a suspect might have an impact on
his position or not.
"I cannot comment on Sutiyoso's status as we have to study the
case first," Djafar said.
Councillor Amarullah Asbah of the Golkar Party faction also
refused to comment, saying that his faction had yet to discuss
the matter.
Sutiyoso, who was the Jakarta Military commander when the 1996
tragedy occurred, has been named a suspect in the incident, along
with former Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Hamami Nata and seven
other officials.
The attack on PDI headquarters triggered mass unrest in
Central Jakarta, leaving at least five people killed and 23
others reported still missing.
Meanwhile, Deputy Governor for Administrative Affairs Abdul
Kahfi said that usually if the governor was engaged in a lawsuit
and could not perform his daily duties, the governor had the
authority to appoint an acting governor.
He said he had repeatedly been appointed the caretaker
position when Sutiyoso was on an official overseas trip.
"However, if the governor cannot perform his duties for an
indefinite period of time, then it is the decision of the
Ministry of Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy whether to elect a
new governor," he added. (dja)