Warring camps agree to delay new Sampang regent post

Warring camps agree to delay new Sampang regent post

SURABAYA (JP): The planned induction of the new regent of
Sampang on Madura island off East Java has been moved back hours
after an angry mob set fire to the local legislature on
Wednesday.

The decision was approved during a meeting between
representatives of the warring groups mediated by Governor Imam
Utomo. The meeting at the Granadi gubernatorial office ended at
about 10.30 p.m.

"The two camps agreed to delay the swearing-in ceremony
without opposing the minister of home affairs decree which
endorses the appointment of Fadhilah Budiono as Sampang regent,"
Imam told reporters.

Also present in the meeting were East Java Military Commander
Maj. Gen. Sudi Silalahi, deputy East Java Police chief Brig. Gen.
Supriadi, speaker of the provincial legislature Bisri Abdul
Djalil, noted Madura figure Muhammad Noer, who is also a former
East Java governor, and Fadhilah himself.

Imam said Fadhilah would be sworn in after 10 ulemas
representing combating supporters of the National Mandate Party
(PKB) and the United Development Party (PPP) each meet on Sunday
to discuss measures to calm the tension.

"The two camps also guarantee that no security problems will
occur in Sampang," Imam said.

Fadhilah was tightlipped about the agreement.

On the eve of the new Sampang regent's induction, a group of
people believed to be PKB supporters ransacked the regent office
and burned the hall which would host the ceremony.

It took local residents and fire brigade an hour to douse the
fire. Order has been restored, according to Imam.

Fadhilah, a police colonel, won the regent election in July,
but protests, mostly by PKB faction members, have accused him of
swindling rice for West Kalimantan refugees.

On Monday thousands of Sampang residents took to the streets,
demanding that Fadhilah be inaugurated soon.

The demonstrations had apparently prompted Minister of Home
Affairs Surjadi Soedirdja to issue on Tuesday decrees on the
appointment of Fadhilah (as new regent) and his deputy Said
Hidayat.

Puji Raharjo, secretary of PKB faction, said after the arson
that it was the decrees which triggered the party supporters'
anger. He said the PKB faction had met President Abdurrahman
Wahid and Surjadi in Jakarta some time ago reporting on the
Fadhilah issue.

"The President and the minister agreed at that time that
Fadhilah would not be installed until the legal process is
completed," Puji told The Jakarta Post.

He said the attack on Sampang legislature was a spontaneous
action despite the fact the people had gathered at the party's
secretariat before.

Earlier in the day several government offices in Sampang were
closed on Wednesday morning due to fears of more unrest.

Deputy chief of East Java Police Brig. Gen. Supriadi denied
the situation in Sampang would be out of hand.

"Everything is under control in Sampang. I'm sure the
inauguration of the new regent will run smoothly," he said on
Wednesday morning.

He said a battalion of police troops would secure the
swearing-in of Fadhilah, adding that the massive deployment was
aimed to prevent chaos. (nur/sur)