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Graft suspect wins reelection in Papua
Graft suspect Yusak Yaluwo looks set to be reelected as Boven Digoel Regent in Papua, a day before the regency’s General Elections Commission (KPUD) officially announces the vote results on Wednesday
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raft suspect Yusak Yaluwo looks set to be reelected as Boven Digoel Regent in Papua, a day before the regency’s General Elections Commission (KPUD) officially announces the vote results on Wednesday.
Head of the Boven Digoel KPUD, Christian Guamn, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that the vote count had been approved in every district and that the winner would be officially announced in a plenary session Wednesday.
He said an ongoing legal graft case implicating Yusak would not affect the result.
“Since the court has yet to deliver a verdict on the case, the KPUD will continue the election process in Boven Digoel,” he said.
Yusak was named a suspect for embezzling Rp 49 billion during his first term as regent from
2005-2010.
In this year’s election, held on Aug. 31, Yusak, who ran with Yesaya Merasi, won 44 percent of the 12,709 votes counted.
Behind him in the vote was the Xaverius T. Songmen-Eksan Heremba ticket, which garnered 31 percent, or 9,283 votes; the Simon Siwoya–Paulinus Wanggimop ticket with 17.98 percent or 5,256 votes; and the Marselino Yamkondo–Edward C. Haurissa ticket with 6.33 percent or 1,842 votes.
Papua Legislative Council member Carolus Bolly said the Democratic Party would honor the law in dealing with Yusak, who it backed in the election.
“As long as there is no court decision, Yusak Yaluwo still has the right as a citizen and to be elected as a regent,” the party’s acting executive chairman told the Post.
Abud Musa’ad of Cendrawasih University’s Democratic Center in Jayapura said Yusak’s re-election should serve as a lesson.
“The law on regional elections should take this development into account and take steps to avoid a similar situation since this case has never happened before,” he said.
He also called on the Home Ministry to act wisely in handling the case given the political situation in Papua.
Corruption Eradication Commission spokesman Johan Budi told the Post that the election results would not affect Yusak’s legal case.
“He’s already facing trial so the proceeding will not influence the political process,” he said.
The KPK detained Yusak in April 2010 for allegedly embezzling Rp 49 billion from the regency’s budget from 2005-2007.
