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)