President's help sought in Sampang regent row

SURABAYA (JP): The East Java administration will seek President Abdurrahman Wahid's help in handling a rift over the newly elected regent of Sampang, Madura, Governor Imam Utomo said on Sunday evening.

The decision was made after a meeting between two groups of ulema on Sunday evening to discuss the disputed regent's induction ended in a deadlock.

"Both groups remained firm in their arguments .... They just agreed to maintain the peace in Sampang and that another meeting should be held," Imam, who appeared disappointed at the outcome, said at his office.

"Therefore, I will leave the problem to the President and the minister of home affairs. It's up to them to handle the matter."

The newly elected regent, Fadhilah Budiono, is supported by the 12-member United Development Party (PPP) faction in the regency legislative council, while the 18-member National Awakening Party (PKB) faction opposes him. The council has a total of 45 members.

The governor sponsored the Sunday meeting between the ulema from PPP and PKB.

In the meeting, the PKB faction was represented by 10 ulema, led by the chairman of PKB's East Java chapter, Choirul Anam, and a member of the House of Representatives, Fuad Amin Imron. The PPP faction was represented by 10 ulema, led by the chairman of PPP's Sampang chapter, Hasan Asy'ari.

The dispute over Fadhilah's election began when thousands of his supporters took to the streets last week and blocked the main roads in town. They demanded that Fadhilah be installed in office.

Fadhilah was elected Sampang regent in July, and his supporters said he should have begun his term last month.

A few days after the rally, PKB supporters burned the legislative council building in Sampang and accused Fadhilah of corruption.

The attack took place after Minister of Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy Surjadi Soedirdja issued a decree officially appointing Fadhilah and Said Hidayat Sampang as regent and deputy regent, respectively.

Imam said on Sunday the dispute had placed him in a difficult position. "If I install both Fadhilah and Said there will be huge demonstration against the move. On the other hand, Fadhilah's supporters will stage protests should I cancel the induction .... Both steps could lead to bloodshed. It's very dangerous."

Hasan Asy'ari said he regretted the results of Sunday's meeting. "Fadhilah's supporters might lose control, while his opponents say they are satisfied with the decision."

A PKB member, however, welcomed the outcome of the meeting. "For me, it was the best result we could have hoped to achieve in the meeting," said Fahrur Razi, chairman of PKB's Sampang chapter. (nur/sur)