Tangerang regent repudiates criticism of his achievements

TANGERANG (JP): Regent Saifullah AR refuted yesterday claims that he had failed to develop the regency and said the criticism leveled against him was absolutely groundless.

"Our administration has so far built six markets. We've repaired many roads. All of these efforts are evidence of development progress," he said.

"So, it's not correct when certain people say there has been no development in this city."

Saifullah said the new markets included those at Sepatan, Ciputat, Cikupa and Curug.

"I have no idea why the protesters wanted to go to the council on Monday," he said.

About 150 people piled into three trucks and went to the local council to urge the central government not to reelect Saifullah AR who, they said, had done practically nothing for the regency while in office.

Saifullah is now serving his second five-year term.

The protesters urged Tangerang councilors to propose candidates other than Saifullah as regent for the 1998/2003 term.

"Where's the proposed bridge? Where are the roads? Where's the clean river campaign?" one protester asked.

"Compared to neighboring Tangerang municipality, our regency has nothing!"

The protesters were mostly in their 20s and 30s. They had come from six districts under the supervision of Tangerang regency: Balaraja, Cikupa, Pakuhaji, Mauk, Pasar Kemis and Kresek.

According to Saifullah, some of the development projects he and his staff had instigated may not be easy for people to see.

"It's mainly because we're not centralizing development but spreading the projects around different areas so a larger number of people can benefit from them," he said.

When asked about the protesters' demand that he not be reelected as regent, Saifullah said that it was up to the central government.

"There's a basic procedure regarding the matter. Let's leave it to the central government to decide," he said, adding that he was unsure whether or not to propose himself as a candidate for next year's selection.

A spokeswoman from Saifullah's administration, Ena Karlina, urged people not to compare the regency's development progress with those of other cities.

A noted ulema, who asked for anonymity, questioned the "sudden" criticism leveled against Saifullah's administration.

"He has ruled the regency for almost 10 years but nobody has criticized him," he said. "So, why now?" (41/bsr)