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)