Village official's home wrecked

BOGOR (JP): Hundreds of angry Sukamaju village residents in Jonggol district here have severely damaged a house belonging to the village head, who was believed to have been involved in corrupt practices.

The residents threw stones at Andi Setiawan's house Thursday, causing significant damage to the house and belongings inside.

No fatalities were reported during the incident.

Andi and his family fled as soon as they found out that the residents were coming.

Local security officers managed to calm down the residents and stop them from causing further damage.

The residents said they were disappointed by findings of a Bogor regency team which declared that the village head was clean of corruption. Most residents believe otherwise.

They accused Andi of corrupt practices, including shady involvement in the construction of a butcher house, an elementary school building and a road.

Regional inspector Fauzi Si'in, however, insisted that the village head was not guilty of corruption.

"It was just an administrative mistake. The village head has yet to complete some administrative requirements," Fauzi was quoted by Antara as saying.

Some residents, angry by the team's finding, immediately rushed to the Jonggol district head to ask whether the findings could be changed.

They later attacked Andi's house on Jl. Raya Jonggol after receiving what they felt to be unsatisfactory answers from the district head.

The district head had earlier sent a letter to Bogor regent Eddy Yoso Martadipura to temporarily dismiss Andi while the investigation was under way.

The residents, who used to be supporters of Andi, often complained to him over his alleged wrongdoings but their complaints were apparently ignored. (jun)