President urged to install N. Maluku governor

President urged to install N. Maluku governor

JAKARTA (JP): The Golkar Party faction at the House of
Representatives (DPR) has urged President Megawati Soekarnoputri
to issue a decree for the installation of North Maluku's
governor-elect, Abdul Gafur.

"We see no reason to further postpone the installation of the
governor- and vice governor-elect. What is more, the Supreme
Court has issued a legal opinion that the election process was
valid," Golkar faction chairman Marzuki Achmad said.

The North Maluku provincial legislative council elected on
July 5 Abdul Gafur and Yamin Tawari as governor and vice governor
respectively.

However, in the wake of criticism that the gubernatorial
election smacked of money politics, the installation of Gafur and
Tawari -- both Golkar members -- was postponed.

Marzuki said House Speaker Akbar Tandjung and People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais had endorsed the
election results.

"By law, the results of the election can no longer be
questioned," said Marzuki, who was accompanied by Golkar faction
secretary Daryatmo Mardiyanto and deputy secretary Yahya Zaini.

He said the Golkar faction had asked President Megawati to
soon issue a decree as a legal basis for the installation of
Gafur and Tawari.

Yahya said that further delay in the installation could cause
uneasiness among the people.

"It is feared that further delay in the installation will give
rise to a prolonged political conflict, which would invite new
conflict among the people, legal uncertainty and an unconducive
climate for law enforcement," he said.--Antara