Protesters decry council, show support for mayor

Ainur R. Sophiaan, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya

Some 300 people rallied in front of the Surabaya legislative council on Monday, claiming its decision to dismiss the city's mayor last week was illegal.

The protesters, calling themselves the National Generation Forum, urged the council to lift its motion against Surabaya mayor Bambang Dwi Hartono, otherwise it would have to be dissolved.

"We appeal to Basuki to annul the decision, as it is against the public's aspirations," said Amari, the field coordinator for the forum. He was referring to the council's speaker M. Basuki.

Protesters wanting to seek out Basuki were unable to get into the council building. A security cordon of policemen blocked their way but no clashes were reported.

The council's plenary meeting last week decided to dismiss Bambang although he took over the post as mayor from Sunarto Sumoprawiro just a month ago.

The councillors took the measure after Bambang failed to attend the session held to hear his response to their demand for a review of his budget accountability speech on June 13.

However protesters argued on Monday that the council's decree No. 2/2002 dismissing the Surabaya mayor was illegal.

They said the 2001 city budget, for which Bambang was held accountable, was drawn up by his predecessor, Sunarto.

Councillors dismissed Sunarto on June 10 because of his fragile health condition. Bambang who was the deputy mayor took over the post but had to deliver Sunarto's accountability speech three days later.

The mayor hails from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), as was council speaker Basuki.

But PDI Perjuangan has discharged Basuki as the head of the party's Surabaya office, citing moral violations. The council speaker is known to be Bambang's political rival.

Amari said the forum was demanding the council's dismissal instead, claiming its members failed to take into account the public's aspirations.

Constitutional law expert at Airlangga University Harjono MCL agreed on allegations that the council's decision was illegitimate.

He said the dismissal of Bambang had little to do with his response to the rejected budget speech, but more with his failure to show up at the plenary meeting.

Council deputy speaker Herman Rival said earlier that Bambang was discharged for his contempt of the legislature.

Councillors who elected Bambang resented his absence, viewing such an attitude as arrogant and disrespectful.

Support behind the incumbent mayor also appeared on the streets. About 200 people carrying a 300 meter-long banner around Bambang's office in Surya Park, asked passersby to support the mayor by signing the banner.

Bambang continues to work as mayor until the council's decision gets approved by the central government.

The city administration secretary Alisjahbana said Bambang's staff was working as usual. "We have nothing to do with the council's motion. Our mayor is still Pak Bambang," he said.