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Governor inaugurates crime suspect as provincial secretary
North Sumatra Governor Gatot Pujo Nugroho swore in Hasban Ritonga on Wednesday as provincial secretary at the gubernatorial office in Medan
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orth Sumatra Governor Gatot Pujo Nugroho swore in Hasban Ritonga on Wednesday as provincial secretary at the gubernatorial office in Medan. Hasban, a suspect in a land-dispute case, had been picked by President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo for the position.
The inauguration, which was attended by a number of officials, was conducted a day after Hasban filed a motion to dismiss the case, which was rejected by judges at the Medan District Court, who instructed prosecutors to resume the case involving the defendant.
Gatot said before the swearing-in ceremony that he had consulted with the Home Ministry. The governor said he was not worried about Hasban's appointment as provincial secretary as the legal proceedings he was facing would not interfere with his duties within the North Sumatra provincial administration.
Gatot rejected responsibility for appointing Hasban as North Sumatra provincial secretary despite his current status as suspect, because Hasban was sworn in based on a presidential decree.
'I appointed him in accordance with the President's instruction. I am implementing the President's policy. The President appointed Hasban from among three candidates I proposed, so I swore him in,' Gatot told journalists after the swearing-in ceremony.
The three candidates Gatot proposed as provincial secretary to Jokowi were North Sumatra legislative secretary Randiman Tarigan, provincial inspectorate head Hasban and North Sumatra Development Planning Board head Arsyad Lubis.
Hasban was appointed as North Sumatra provincial secretary based on Presidential Decree No. 214.M/2014, dated Dec. 29, 2014. In the decree, Jokowi dismissed Nurdin Lubis as provincial secretary and appointed Hasban as his replacement.
Gatot said his office had discussed the matter with the central government, including the case Hasban was currently involved in. However, Gatot is certain Hasban can overcome his legal problems if he is given support.
'The weak won't be strong without support. On the other hand, the strong won't be strong without support,' said Gatot, and expressed the hope Hasban would be able to lead of the staff at the North Sumatra provincial administration.
Hasban was named a suspect by the National Police's Criminal Investigation Directorate (Bareskrim) in March 2014, based on a report by Ito Suhardi, lawyer for PT Mutiara, in a land dispute involving the Indonesia Motorsports Association (IMI) race circuit on Jl. Pancing, Deli Serdang regency. Hasban was detained by Bareskrim in October 2014 on the charges, but he was bailed out by the North Sumatra provincial administration.
Medan District Court commenced hearing Hasban's case on Dec. 4, 2014 and while the trial was ongoing Jokowi picked him as North Sumatra provincial secretary.
Hasban said he would still attend the court hearings despite being appointed as provincial secretary and was convinced the case would not interfere with his duties in the province. 'It will never interfere with my duties,' he said briefly.
