Tangerang hit by two demonstrations

TANGERANG (JP): Protesters called for the mayor's resignation here yesterday, while a separate demonstration demanded a major company clarify the status of its workers.

Over 900 employees of private retail company PT Multipolar Perkasa demonstrated at the company's head office in Karawaci, demanding the management clarify their employment status.

The protesters' spokesman, Koesnandar, said their status was unclear since the company closed down its Wal-Mart outlets here and at Mega Mal in Pluit, North Jakarta after the May riots.

The Wal-Mart at Lippo Supermal in Karawaci was badly damaged but the outlet at Mega Mall Pluit was left unscathed by the mobs.

Koesnandar said the employees demanded the company provide severance pay in accordance with government regulations if it planned to permanently close the stores.

After meeting with the workers' representatives, the company agreed to the demands.

"Almost all of the employees' demands were granted. The severance payment will be issued next Monday," the company's finance director, Ketut B. Wijaya, said.

Separately, 200 residents held a demonstration demanding Tangerang Mayor Djakaria Mahmud resign because of alleged corrupt, collusive and nepotistic practices.

They accused Djakaria of giving several middle ranking positions at the mayoralty to his relatives and friends.

Djakaria's brother Muhaemin was appointed head of the mayoralty's parks and funeral office, while Suparman and Cholil, old friends of the mayor, respectively became the assistant of the mayoralty's administration department and the head of the mayoralty's planning office, they said.

They claimed that some councilors, especially from the Golkar faction, were the wives of mayoralty officials.

When asked to comment on the protesters' accusations, Djakaria denied having a close relationship with Suparman and Cholil.

He also said his brother had already resigned from his post.

"My job will be audited by the government at the end of my term this month, at which time they will look into accusations of corruption," he said.

"Let's see later who's right and who's wrong," Djakaria said. (41/jun)