Residents protest regent's election

Residents protest regent's election

PADANG, West Sumatra: The town of Sijunjung, some 200
kilometers southeast of Padang, came to a standstill on Friday
when approximately 3,000 people staged a protest over the
election of a new regent.

The protesters set up dozens of tents in front of the regent's
office in Sijunjung, which is the capital of Sawahlunto regency.

The protesters demanded Darius Apan and Hasan Zaini be
installed as regent and deputy regent, saying they had won the
election for the posts.

Hundreds of public transportation vehicles and private cars
parked along the side of the town's roads while residents sat in
the streets, clogging up most roads in the town.

The protest began when allegations surfaced that another
candidate in the election, Arlis Ade, bribed members of the local
legislature to vote for him.

As many as 21 legislators have been questioned by police over
the allegations.

Darius Apan and Hasan Zaini received the most votes in the
election, but they have not yet been installed in their posts.

The term of office of outgoing regent Syahrul Anwar has been
extended for one month while the matter is resolved. (28/sur)