Residents reject elected regent

Residents reject elected regent

BEKASI: Dozens of residents staged a rally at the Bekasi
Council buildings on Friday, demanding the reelection of regent
and deputy regent, as they said the results of the recent
election were not valid.

The rally followed the demand made by the chairman of the
election committee, Nuradi, who said that the election process on
Monday was not yet completed when the Bekasi secretary council
announced the results. Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno
later strengthened his claim.

Saleh Manaf and Solihin Sari of the coalition faction of the
Council were elected as regent and deputy regent respectively.

Friday's rally coordinator Hasan, of Tambun subdistrict, said
the residents suspected horse trading in the election.

"The next regent should be a native of the regency," he said
in his speech. -- JP