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)