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

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)