Sutiyoso names Fauzie Yasin as deputy governor

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso announced on Wednesday that he will nominate the assistant to the city secretary in charge of administrative affairs, Fauzie Alvi Yasin, as a candidate for the deputy governor for economic and financial affairs post, which has been vacant for the last six months.

Sutiyoso said Fauzie was chosen because he had enough experience in handling the economic and financial affairs of the city administration.

"During the present economic crisis we need someone whose knowledge and capability in such affairs are unquestionable," he said.

Sutiyoso guaranteed that his choice was free from collusion and nepotism. "We tried to do it as objectively as possible," he said.

The governor said that among the six contenders, Fauzie, 58, was the only one who had a sound background in economics, being a graduate from the University of Indonesia's school of economics.

Fauzie's past positions have included head of city-owned market management company PD Pasar Jaya, head of the city revenue agency and of the city inspectorate office.

The five other entrants processed at the position and stratification advisory body were city secretary Fauzi Bowo, head of the city development planning agency Bambang Sungkono, head of city investment management Maskup Ustianto, head of the city inspectorate office Sutardjianto and head of the United Development Party (PPP) faction of the city council Achmad Suaidy.

Sutiyoso said earlier he had decided that the position should be filled again because the demands of handling the city's finances during the 1999/2000 fiscal year were expected to be heavier.

The responsibilities of the position are temporarily being handled by deputy governor for development affairs Budihardjo Sukmadi.

The governor dissolved the position, citing efficiency considerations, after then deputy governor for economic and financial affairs Harun Al Rasyid was promoted to governor of West Nusa Tenggara in August last year.

When asked by reporters, Fauzie refused comment on his candidacy. But he said he was prepared to take on the position.

Sutiyoso said on Wednesday that he had discussed the candidacy with city council speaker Edy Waluyo, "who has principally agreed with it".

The governor said he would formally submit the candidacy to the council this week before it is referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs for approval.

However, despite Edy's approval, some city councilors questioned the governor's decision.

Head of the Indonesian Democratic Party faction Lukman Mokoginta and deputy head of the PPP faction Ali Imran Husein told The Jakarta Post separately on Wednesday that the governor was required to submit several candidates for the position to the city council.

"Giving a sole candidate is no longer the style during the reform era," he said.

That was why, he said, his faction would question the matter if the governor officially submitted the proposal to the council.

Ali asked that, if the council was given only one name, "What is our role? I think the governor doesn't even need to submit it to us then." (ind)