Regent suspends ‘lazy’ village head

PURBALINGGA, C. Java: Purbalingga Regent Triyono Budi Sasongko has suspended the head of Cilapar village, in Kaligondang district, for his chronic absenteeism.

“The suspension is temporary. We sent the official letter to village head Maman Suparman,” regency spokesman Prayitno told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

“If in the next six months he doesn’t show any improvement in his performance, then we’ll give him the shaft.”

Prayitno said Maman had frequently delegated his official duties to the village secretary while focusing on his own business since being appointed village head six months ago.

He added Maman had breached a 2007 regency regulation on running a village administration.

“The regent has the right to fire lazy village heads,” Prayitno said.

Village secretary Teguh Widodo said his office had received the letter of suspension.

“In the letter, the regent appointed me the acting village head,” he said.

He added he would discuss the matter with members of the village representatives’ board.

Teguh also said Maman was never in the office 90 percent of the time.

“I don’t know what his business is,” he went on.

“He just asked me to fill in for him while he was out.”

— JP