PDI-P opposes Gafur's win of North Maluku governorship

MANADO, North Sulawesi (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)'s faction at the North Maluku legislative council opposed the victory of Abdul Gafur, a Golkar Party member, in the province's gubernatorial elections.

Elly Soplely, chairman of PDI Perjuangan's provincial chapter, said in Manado on Sunday that Gafur's victory in the elections was marred by money politics.

"I don't think a new governor will be installed in North Maluku in September as previously planned. The elections held on July 5, 2001 was legally defect. Since there have been allegations of bribery, a special team from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy is investigating the charges."

Soplely was interviewed by The Jakarta Post at Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado while on transit from Ternate, the capital of North Maluku, to Jakarta.

The North Maluku province was inaugurated in October 1999.

Its first governor was Surasmin, an official from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy.

North Maluku, which is rich in clove, teak, coconut and cocoa, comprises Ternate mayoralty, Central Halmahera and North Maluku regencies.

Soplely said his faction was confident that Gafur would not be installed as governor because the legislative council had nullified the election results in its report on July 11, 2001. "Gafur has been proven to have given money to several legislators to vote for him. A legislator admitted to having received money from Gafur. However, Gafur has denied the allegations, claiming the money he distributed to the legislators was to "help them improve their efficiency."

Abdul Gafur, a retired Air Force officer, was formerly minister for youth and sport during Soeharto's presidency.

"A candidate for governorship who gives money to legislators during the elections could be charged with bribery. It is against the law," Soplely said, citing Regulation No. 151/2000 on money politics.

Meanwhile, Abdul Madjid, another candidate for the governorship said the elections were democratic.

"There were two elections and Gafur won the governor's seat while Tawarih won the deputy governor's seat. Politically, we must respect the results of the elections. Let the police, not the legislature, handle the bribery allegations," Madjid, who was among the candidates for the governorship, said.

Tawarih, who was part of Soplely's entourage at the airport, refused to comment on the issue. (48/sur)