'Traitors will be punished'

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: South Kalimantan Legislative Speaker Mansyah Add warned local councillors on Monday that anyone who betrayed their agreement to topple Governor Sjachriel Dachram would receive severe punishment.

"I have the names and factions of those who may be planning to break our agreement. I emphasize once again that it's impossible for the Legislature to withdraw the decree because 39 councillors have given their approval by signing it," he told reporters without giving any details on the sanctions.

The Legislature discharged Sjachriel and his deputy on Aug. 21 through Decree No.16/2002 on the grounds that the two were involved in several corruption cases. The ministry of home affairs, however, still recognizes Sjachriel as the legitimate governor.

The governor's brother-in-law, Syamsuri Darham, has been negotiating with some councillors to revoke the decree. Sjachriel himself is currently on a minor haj pilgrimage (umroh) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. --JP