Sabarno asked to act on Tarmidi's position

JAKARTA: Governor Sutiyoso urged Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno on Friday to decide the fate of Tarmidi Suhardjo, as to whether or not he could retain his position as the city council deputy chairman.

"We cannot submit candidates for the city secretary until the problem of Tarmidi is settled," Sutiyoso told reporters at City Hall, and added that Tarmidi's unclear position had caused uncertainty among council leaders.

At least three candidates -- including Ritola, head of the City Development Planning Office; Makmun Amin, assistant for administrative affairs to the city secretary; and council secretary Moerdiman -- will be sent to the city council for approval from council leaders.

The central board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) dismissed Tarmidi from his position as chairman of the party's city chapter for not supporting Sutiyoso, who was backed by PDI-P, in the recent gubernatorial election.

Tarmidi was replaced by councillor Sumiati Sukarno, but he still retained his position as deputy chairman. The party has nominated councillor Agung Imam Sumanto to replace Tarmidi as the council's deputy chairman.-JP