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