NTT heating up ahead of election

Yemris Fointuna ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Kupang   |  Fri, 05/09/2008 12:28 PM  |  Headlines

VOTE AWAY: Hundreds of residents rally in front of the office of the provincial General Elections Commission of East Nusa Tenggara on Thursday in Kupang. They urged the commission to go ahead with the gubernatorial election according to schedule on June 2 despite protests against the selection of the candidates, which include Ibrahim Agustinus Medah and his running mate Paulus Moa, Frans Leburaya and Esthon Foennay, and Gaspar Parang Ehok and Yulius Bobo. (JP/Yemris Fointuna)

A gubernatorial election meeting in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) nearly escalated into a scuffle Thursday when accusations broke out among lawmakers at the provincial legislature.

At a consultative meeting held by the NTT legislature and election commission members in Kupang failed to reach terms when the latter were accused of fleeing a protest against the election body.

The incident ensued when a councilor accused the province's General Elections Commission (KPUD) head Robinson Ratukore and his three colleagues Johanes Depa, Hans Ch Louk and Johanes B. Lalangkoe of sneaking away when hundreds of protesters staged a rally at the KPUD office.

"We were invited to the meeting on organizing the gubernatorial election, but we were insulted by a councilor named Benediktus Randu. He accused us of fleeing in spite of the fact that we are currently still carrying out our duties well," said Ratukore.

Ratukore said that during the meeting a number of councilors questioned the absence of KPUD member Yoseph Dasi Dawa.

"I said the concerned person had not been present in office since last Monday without notice, but he had attended the plenary meeting endorsing the three gubernatorial candidate pairs who passed assessment. He, however, did not sign the attendance list," said Ratukore.

He said the meeting turned into a forum of accusations against the KPUD head and members. "One of the councilors yelled out that KPUD members should be replaced. I said we are ready to be replaced if in line with procedures. The legislature has no right to replace us," he said.

The explanation sparked controversy among councilors. Some allegedly demanded Yoseph attend the meeting.

"We were suddenly accused of sneaking away during the rally, thus sparking our anger," said Ratukore.

Legislative speaker Melkianus Adoe confirmed the incident to reporters.

"The incident occurred abruptly as neither party could control their emotions," said Melkianus.

An unidentified source who attended the meeting said KPUD member Johanes Lalangkoe and legislator Yucun Lepa at one point shoved each other.

"Security personnel were quick to maintain the situation," said the source, adding that the men had challenged each other to a fist-fight outside the building.

The provincial legislature asked the KPUD to remain compliant with existing laws and organize a fair election, and to annul the election and hold a repeat election in the event of violations.

"A team will go to Jakarta this week to submit the statement to the central elections committee," said Melkianus.

He added that the consultative meeting was initially planned to discuss a number of demands from the public who were against the KPUD verification results approving three candidate pairs for the June 2 election.

A crowd of around 1,000 converged at the KPUD office on Jl. Polisi Militer at 9:00 a.m. Thursday, voicing their support for the KPUD to hold the election as scheduled on the grounds that its decision to approve the three pairs was valid.

Dozens of others staged a rally at the site demanding the KPUD drop the three candidate pairs and to repeat the verification process.

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.