Sampang returns to normal

Sampang returns to normal

SAMPANG, East Java: Various activities in Sampang, Madura
Island, slowly began to resume on Friday after most activities
were suspended for the past week due to heightened tension in a
dispute over the election of the local regent.

Antara reported on Friday that many employees of government
offices had begun to return to work, and schools were commencing
activities although most students went home early.

Sampang Regent Secretary Erdit Hernandi said the local
administration couldn't function properly as groups supporting
regent elect Fadhilah Budiono stormed the local administration's
offices demanding that he be installed to his post.

Since they occupied our offices, the administration here
couldn't work as employees were obviously afraid," Erdit said.

The dispute which has dragged on since September centers
around the election of Fadhilah by the local council as regent by
a slim margin beating a candidate from the National Awakening
Party.

However Fadhila's opponents dispute the victory as two
councillors who had resigned from the council continued to cast
their ballot.

The dispute almost came to a boil this week as supporters from
both sides threatened to turn the dispute into a physical clash.

The situation has calmed following the persuasive approach by
security forces to convince Fadhila's supporters to vacate the
offices they occupied.(mds)