Ratu Atut sworn in as Banten
governor

Serang: Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi on Wednesday installed Ratu Atut Chosiyah as Banten governor and Rano Karno as her deputy in a plenary session at the Banten legislative council building in Serang, Banten.

The session was led by Banten council speaker Aeng Chaerudin, and attended by Coordinating People’s Welfare Minister Agung Laksono, former social affairs minister Sulasikin Moerpratomo, former public housing minister and Golkar Party executive Theo L. Sambuaga, former president Megawati’s daughter Puan Maharani and several governors, regents and mayors.

Ratu Atut, who was reported to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in September for allegedly embezzling social aid funds from the 2011 provincial budget to support her campaign, was backed by 11 political parties.

She won the October election by securing 2,136,035 votes, 46.64 percent of the total ballot. Her closest rival, Wahidin Halim, was backed by the Democrating Party and gained 1,674,957 votes (38.93 percent). The other candidate, Jazuli Juwaini, who was backed by the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the United Development Party (PPP) and the Crescent Star Party (PBB) managed to garner only 491,432 votes (11.42 percent).

The swearing-in ceremony was marred by a rally staged outside the building by dozens of Banten University students who demanded that Ratu Atut and her deputy keep the promises they made during their election campaign.

“Ratu Atut and Rano Karno, we recorded your promises to improve people’s welfare in Banten. Do your best and show us the results as soon as you can,” Maulana, one of the students said.