S. Sumatra tense, fate of governor elect iffy
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The situation in the South Sumatra capital of Palembang was still tense, following the political uncertainty on governor elect Syahrial Oesman who failed to be sworn in on Friday.
Thousands of people -- for and against Syahrial -- have spent two days at the gubernatorial office in the city, while hundreds of anti-riot police were deployed, in anticipation of clashes between the two groups.
One group supporting Oesman held a free speech forum demanding President Megawati Soekarnoputri to swear in the governor elect and his deputy governor elect Mahyuddin, while the opposing group cried out their full support for outgoing Governor Rosihan Arsyad.
The situation became tense on Friday, when the inauguration of Oesman and Mahyuddin -- who won a single majority in the gubernatorial election held on Aug. 4 -- was delayed for unspecified reasons, although necessary preparations for the swearing-in ceremony had been made the week before.
The delay of the new governor's inauguration became certain following a telegram from the home minister, who extended Rosihan's tenure for an indefinite time. Rosihan also delayed his farewell party, scheduled to be held on Friday evening at the governor's residence, with local religious leaders, politicians, businessmen and government officials.
"It is impossible to hold the farewell party because Governor Rosihan is still given trust to govern the province for an indefinite time," provincial administration spokesman Lexy Yoesman said here on Saturday.
Rosihan's tenure expired on Sept. 12, 2003 and according to the law, Oesman is supposed to be sworn in on that date at the latest to avoid an administrative vacuum.
Both Minister Hari and Director General for Public Administration Affairs at the Home Ministry Oentarto were not available for confirmation of the delay nor its causes.
Despite the 1999 regional autonomy law regulating gubernatorial elections, the President has the highest authority to decide whether governor elects are sworn in or not.
A similar case occurred in South Sumatra's border province of Lampung, when the President suspended the inauguration of governor elect Alziers Dianis Thabranie -- in line with his alleged involvement in several corruption cases. Megawati and PDI Perjuangan supported former governor Oemarsono in the election, but he was defeated.
The President also supported Rosihan in the election but he only gained 30 votes.
In her aim to secure the presidency for the second term in the first ever direct presidential election next year, Megawati has apparently maintained present governors, regardless of their political backgrounds.
Many people -- especially supporters of PDI Perjuangan -- have frequently expressed their deep concern over Megawati's political policy, which gives more power to non-party figures.
The provincial chapter of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), which Megawati chairs, expressed its deep concern over the political tension, saying that this could turn into violence unless the governor elect was sworn in.
Hundreds of students also staged a demonstration at the Home Ministry, demanding the President to issue a decree on Oesman's inauguration.
Syarkowi said many councillors were sure that the President had issued a decree on Oesman's inauguration, but were suspicious that certain sides had hidden the decree.