PPP leader angry with governor

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)