PPP leader angry with governor

SEMARANG: Central Java's Governor Soewardi's policy to promote regents who led Golkar to win between 90 percent and 100 percent of votes in their areas in the May general election has drawn fire from a United Development Party (PPP) executive.

Soewardi has begun fulfilling his promise to promote regents who helped Golkar win the May 29 election.

The Kebumen regent, for instance, has had his pay scale increased to an amount that under the normal conditions, could only be achieved after at least 12 years employment.

"That kind of promotion is unnatural and must be stopped," secretary to PPP's Central Java branch, Harminto Agustono, said over the weekend.

Harminto demanded that the provincial legislative council raise the issue in its forthcoming sessions.

"His (Soewardi's) policy amounts to political arrogance on the part of the government," he said.

The government, which backs Golkar, has always claimed neutrality in general elections. (har)