The Jakarta Post, September 13, 2006
Councillors boycott inauguration in West Seram
M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Piru
The West Seram legislative council boycotted Tuesday the inauguration of Regent
Jacobus Petileihalat whose election victory was widely opposed.
A Minister of Home Affairs decree approving Jacobus' appointment as West Seram
regent has apparently not put an end to the controversy surrounding the election.
Only seven of the council's 25 members attended the inauguration ceremony
Tuesday, which was held at the regent's office in Piru and led by Maluku Governor
Karel Albert Ralahalu.
The seven councillors are all members of the parties that nominated Jacobus and his
running mate La Kadir as regent and vice regent.
The ceremony was initially scheduled to be held at the legislative building in Kairatu,
but had to be shifted to Piru due to the boycott.
However, fears there might be clashes between supporters and opponents of the
regent-elect proved unfounded.
At least 450 police personnel, supported by the bomb squad and four armored
vehicles, were deployed from Ambon to secure the event. Security posts were also
set up at entrance points to the city.
A day earlier, the West Seram legislative council held a plenary session to discuss
the ministerial decree endorsing the victory of Jacobus and La Kadir in the election.
During the meeting it was alleged that the decree, signed by the director general of
regional autonomy, was not authentic.
A councillor who attended the inauguration ceremony, S. Fataubun, told The Jakarta
Post that some of the councillors had produced a fake decree to stir up the meeting.
"The number on the introduction letter was different from the one on the decree, which
suggested to us the ministerial decree was a fake.
"We later found that the letter circulating during the plenary session was indeed a
fake and we've asked police to investigate the case. This is just the legislature's way
of opposing the regent's appointment," Fataubun said.
The plenary session resumed despite a number of councillors walking out. The
meeting agreed on forming a team investigate the alleged sham.
West Seram Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. D.A. Widjanarko confirmed police had been
asked to investigate the document.
"As the case was only recently reported, there's no suspect yet. We will trace the
letter's journey from Jakarta to the regency."
After the inauguration ceremony, Governor Karel said: "This is the government's
decision and we must respect it."
When asked about the boycott of the ceremony, he said if the legislature failed to
appoint an official, the governor as an extension of the central government, had the
authority to do so.
Jacobus told the Post that the controversy surrounding his appointment was just part
of the democratic process.
"If anyone is unsatisfied, they can take me to court. I don't mind either if the case is
brought before the home minister."
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