Seat allocation protested

Seat allocation protested

BOGOR (JP): Three groups held a protest on Wednesday during
the Bogor Council's inauguration ceremony, accusing some new
members of manipulating the number of legislative seats.

The protesters were members and supporters of the National
Mandate Party (PAN), the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
(PDI Perjuangan) and students of the Bogor Institute of
Agriculture (IPB).

PAN spokesman in Bogor Usep Saripudin said his group is
disappointed with the West Java governor's decree stipulating
that PDI Perjuangan obtained 12 seats and PAN four seats in the
Bogor Council, while PNI-Front Marhaenis and the Indonesian
Democratic Union Party (PUDI) have one seat each.

"Based on the National Election Committee (PPI) count
officiated by PPI chairman Jacob Tobing on Aug. 13, PDI
Perjuangan has 13 seats and PAN should have five seats," Usep
said.

The disparities in seat allocations triggered the protest.

The group had sent a letter to the Bogor District Court to
delay the inauguration of council members until the matter is
settled.

"But the court did not do anything about it," he said.
(24/edt)