Syarwan casts doubt on Abilio's political future
Syarwan casts doubt on Abilio's political future
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid confirmed
on Monday that East Timor Governor Jose Osorio Abilio Soares
could lose his job after being publicly accused of corruption and
collusion.
Syarwan said he had no immediate plans to replace the
governor, but said that he would do his best to accommodate
public opinion when making future decisions about the provincial
leadership in East Timor.
"There is no plan (to replace Abilio), but just like previous
cases... replacement is possible if there is a problem," Syarwan
said after meeting President B.J. Habibie at Merdeka Palace.
Dozens of protesters in the East Timor capital of Dili marched
to the provincial legislative council on Monday to demand that
Abilio be dismissed for alleged corruption.
They also demanded the dismissal of a number of government
officials said to be guilty of human rights abuses.
"Fire Abilio (Soares)... Take the governor to court for
corruption," read some of their placards and banners.
In a letter signed by 109 East Timorese citizens, Syarwan was
asked to appoint Abilio's predecessor Mario Viegas Carrascalao as
acting governor until a new gubernatorial election could be
arranged.
The speaker of the provincial legislature, Armindo Soares
Mariano, said the Ministry of Home Affairs had sent a special
team to Dili to investigate the allegations. The team is expected
to announce the results of its investigation in the near future.
"The rule is clear, it will be processed in accordance with
the law," Antara quoted Armindo as saying to the protesters.
The protesters proposed several potential candidates to
replace Abilio, including East Timor's Ambassador at Large
Fransisco Lopes da Cruz, diplomat Tito dos Santos Baptista and
Armindo.
Abilio replaced Mario Viegas Carrascalao in 1992 after the
latter had been in office for 10 years. He was then reelected for
a second term in 1997.
Abilio has never tried to hide the fact that he is close to
members of former president Soeharto's family, including Lt. Gen.
(ret.) Prabowo Subianto. Two of Soeharto's children are known to
have promised to build Abilio a sugar cane plantation and
processing plants in the tiny province.
The widely respected Carrascalao is currently a member of the
Supreme Advisory Council (DPA).
Abilio is currently absent from his office. Syarwan said the
governor was away on a routine month-long holiday and is
scheduled to resume his duties later this month.
His absence has left the province facing a power vacuum.
Former vice governor Suryo Prabowo, who hails from Java, resigned
in November and provincial secretary Radjakarina Brahmana is now
the most senior official in East Timor. He was born in North
Sumatra. (prb)