Postpone Sampang regent's inauguration: President

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid ordered East Java Governor Imam Utomo on Wednesday to postpone the inauguration of reelected Sampang regent Fadhilah Budiono, suggesting an investigation be conducted into the official.

After meeting with the President, Imam told journalists he would immediately set up an investigation team comprising officials of the Sampang regency administration and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The team is expected to complete the investigation next week and report its result to the President.

A mob set Sampang Council on fire last week following controversy over the election of the regent.

Fadhilah, a police colonel, who was mainly supported by the United Development Party (PPP) and Indonesian Military (TNI)/National Police factions, secured 23 votes, defeating PKB's candidate by just one ballot.

PKB is the largest faction at the local council with 18 seats while PPP is the second with 12.

PKB protested the results of vote, arguing that one of the legislators who voted for Fadhilah had resigned in April before the election was held in July.

Besides questioning the validity of reelection, PKB also accused Fadhilah of having been involved in a scam over rice aid for Madurese refugees who were victims of riots in West Kalimantan in 1998.

Imam, who was abruptly summoned to Merdeka Palace on Wednesday, rejected suggestions that the President's call was due to Abdurrahman's close affiliation to the National Awakening Party (PKB).

Abdurrahman is the party founder and chairman of PKB's legislative body.

"It's not (because of that)," Imam replied when reporters suggested the connection.

Minister of Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy Lt. Gen. (ret) Surjadi Soedirdja said on Tuesday the government would appoint an acting regent for Sampang if the two warring groups could not resolve their problem.

Meanwhile, police conducted a sweep of vehicles entering and leaving the Sampang on Wednesday.

Sampang Police chief Supt. Indroyoko said the operation began at about 11 a.m. to search for vehicles carrying dangerous objects such as sickles or machetes.

He said that up to late evening, dozens of sharp objects had been seized by the police. (jun/nur)