Postpone Sampang regent's inauguration: President

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)