PPD II won't sign decree

PPD II won't sign decree

TANGERANG (JP): Forty-four members of the Tangerang Regional
Elections Committee (PPD II) have refused to sign a decree
endorsing the appointment of legislators elected in the June
polls.

The boycott was held reportedly because Tangerang Mayor
Mochammad Thamrin had not delivered on an earlier promise of a Rp
5 million "service fee" for each committee member.

The PPD II members reportedly received only Rp 1 million each.

"The group then refused to sign the decree and demanded the
rest of the Rp 4 million for each person," the representative of
PNI-Front Marhaenis, Marjuni, said on Thursday.

Tangerang mayoralty office spokesman Said Endrawiyanto
regretted the incident, saying that members of PPD II were
supposed to be independent.

"They call themselves independent... but it seems to me they
are receiving bribes," he said.

Due to the boycott, the administration has yet to set a date
for the inauguration of the new council members. (41/edt)