S. Sumatra tense, fate of governor elect iffy

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.