Residents reject Padang mayor's sacking

Residents reject Padang mayor's sacking

PADANG, West Sumatra: Hundreds of Payakumbuh, West Java
residents on Thursday rallied at the governor's office, locally
known as " the House of Bagonjong", to protest against the home
minister's decision to suspend their mayor, Darlis Ilyas.

Public figures, representatives from various local
institutions and NGOs handed over a petition to the governor
stating their objection to the suspension of the mayor through
the Ministerial Decree No. 131.23-102 dated March, 26, 2002.

The petition which was also sent to 20 addresses including the
president and other high ranking officials, stated that the city
of Payakumbuh had made tremendous progress under the mayor's
management.

They charged that the measure taken by the Minister of Home
affairs to suspend him was a hasty act which deeply hurt the
feelings of the locals.

The governor said he would convey the people's concerns to the
central government, adding that he had to respect the minister's
decision as well.

The Legislative Council accused Darlis of having misused
billions of rupiah of public funds. The accusation which resulted
in a prolonged conflict ended up with the issuance of the
termination letter. --Antara