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)