W. Sumatra governor resigns

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid said he will appoint a caretaker to replace West Sumatra Governor Muchlis Ibrahim, whose resignation was approved by President B.J. Habibie on Wednesday.

"The Director General for Administration and Provincial Autonomy (Ryaas Rasyid) will deal with the matter," he said after swearing in Zainal Bakar as West Sumatra deputy governor on Tuesday.

Muchlis, who rejected Zainal's nomination, announced his resignation in West Sumatra's capital Padang on Tuesday.

He said Syarwan violated a ministerial rule by installing Zainal without his recommendation.

"The minister also intervened in the election of the Payakumbuh and Padangpanjang mayors," Muchlis told The Jakarta Post in Padang.

"If I have been insulted three times, it means (the minister) will continue to do so."

Muchlis' public protest on Monday is considered the first of its type by a governor.

Syarwan denied he abused rules, saying input from councilors and informal leaders should also be taken into account.

As a rule the caretaker is the director general for administration and provincial autonomy. Ryaas said he would write to the President to say he was too busy monitoring preparations for the June polls and deliberating bills on regional autonomy and fiscal balance.

Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung said Muchlis' protest was bizarre as Zainal had previously stated his willingness to work with the new appointee, adding the appointment was legal. (28/rms/prb)