South Nias people reject appointment of acting regent

Hundreds of people in the North Sumatra regency of South Nias grouped in the Alliance for Nias Reform Movement (AGRN) demonstrated in Medan on Friday, rejecting the appointment of Hengki Yusuf Wau as acting regent.

They threatened to continue demonstrating at the governor's office and to turn South Nias into a sea of fire if Governor Tengku Rizal Nurdin failed to meet their demand.

AGRN coordinator Nasman Manao said the people opposed Hengki's appointment because he had opposed the splitting of Nias into two regencies, and it was feared he would appoint his own men to the new administration.

He said Hengki was one of the Nias regent's men who were behind moves to prevent the people from establishing a new regency.

"We are ready to be covered in blood and turn South Nias into a sea of fire if South Nias is led by a figure who made no contribution to the formation of the new regency," Nasman said.

The new regency, which has eight districts with a total population of 300,000, was officially formed with the enactment by President Megawati Soekarnoputri of a law on the regency's formation in February.

The new regency is known for copra, archeological sites and surf.

Rizal, who was asked for his comments on the demonstration, said Hengki was appointed as acting regent because he met the official requirements for the position.

"Besides, the government has the authority to appoint an acting regent to form an administration, including the establishment of a regency legislative council that will elect a permanent regent," he said, referring to the 1999 regional autonomy law.

He said the people could channel their aspirations, through the to-be-established regency legislature, on who should lead the new regency for the next five-year period.