Situation in Sampang heats up over regent

Situation in Sampang heats up over regent

SURABAYA (JP): The situation in Sampang regency, Madura
Island, has become increasingly tense as opposing forces of
elected regent Fadhilah Budiono on Wednesday look set for a
showdown.

Supporters of United Development Party (PPP) councillor
Fadhilah have occupied the Sampang regent office for the past
three days.

Those who oppose him look set to storm the building within
days and have assembled at the National Awakening Party (PKB)
office which is located just one-kilometer.

A showdown looks imminent as both sides have shown no
willingness to compromise over the controversy which began in
September.

The dispute began when Fadhilah, who was supported by PPP and
the Indonesian Military (TNI)/National Police factions at the
Sampang council, secured 23 of 45 votes defeating the PKB
candidate by just one ballot.

The strongest protest came from the PKB faction, particularly
since it was the biggest faction in the council with 18 seats.

PKB also accused Fadhilah, a senior police commissioner, of
being involved in swindling food aid for refugees from Sambas,
West Kalimantan.

Since then PKB supporters have obstructed attempts to
inaugurate the elected regent and tensions have simmered.

On Monday Fadhilah's supporters occupied the regency building
and demanded that he be immediately inaugurated.

"If the (East Java) governor does not fulfill our demands, we
are going to burn down all of the government facilities,"
threatened West Ketapang village chief Nurun Tajalla on
Wednesday, who claimed to represent 168 village chiefs and 8
subdistrict heads.

"All the people of Sampang are behind us. We are ready to
fight to the death," he added.

With crowds from both sides armed with sharp weapons, most
activities in Sampang have ground to a halt as government offices
and public services, schools and shops closed due to fears of
unrest.

Sampang regency police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. AKBP Endaryoko was
openly concerned about the situation and said he had requested
reinforcements from the East Java Police.

"In order to avoid a physical confrontation between the two
groups, we are still trying to broker a compromise between them,"
Endaryoko said on Wednesday.

Meanwhile the speaker of the Sampang council Hasan Asy'ary
blamed East Java Governor Imam Utomo for the political
uncertainty in Sampang.

"The governor has no firm stance in handling the problem. He
himself has even been creating the problem by delaying the
inauguration of Fadhila," Hasan, who is also a member of PPP,
charged.

In Surabaya, Imam Utomo refuted allegations that he had
worsened the situation contending that he had been placed in a
predicament.

"I have asked the central government so many times to
expeditiously resolve the problem. All I can do is just wait for
the President and the Ministry of Home Affairs and Regional
Autonomy's decision," Imam argued.

Meanwhile in Jakarta, PKB Secretary General Muhaimin Iskandar
called on PKB supporters in Sampang to remain calm and urged
Ulemas to help solve the problem without involving grassroots
violence.

He warned that any escalation of violence would only be
counterproductive to PKB.

Muhaimin suggested that the central government extend the term
of Sampang's caretaker regent before conducting a re-election.
(nur/02)