Ryaas faults govt over Lampung

Ryaas faults govt over Lampung

JAKARTA: Former regional autonomy minister Ryaas Rasyid
criticized the government for not swearing in Lampung's governor-
elect because of corruption allegations, saying this violated the
regional autonomy law.

"The minister of home affairs is obliged to swear in Alzier
Dianis Thabrani even though the corruption case is still being
investigated. He is a valid governor, and he must be sworn in and
allowed to serve until he is proven guilty in the case," he said
here on Thursday.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri chose to delay the seating of
Alzier because of allegations over corruption in the distribution
of fertilizer in the province, causing some Rp 1 trillion in
state losses.

Ryaas said that according to the regional autonomy law, only
the court had the authority to declare Alzier guilty or innocent.
"The governor only has to step down if he is found guilty," he
said.

Alzier won 39 of 75 votes in the Dec. 30, 2002, gubernatorial
election. His nearest competitor was Oemarsono, who was backed by
Megawati and her PDI Perjuangan but only received 33 votes.

Home affairs minister Hari Sabarno has appointed Tursandi Alwi
as acting governor for the time being. --Antara