"Hopefully, with the arrival of the team we will have clear reason about the delay of the Tangerang mayor`s appointment," the home affairs minister said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi said he would send a team to Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah on Friday to discuss the delay in the inauguration of the Tangerang Mayor.

"I will send a team tomorrow (today) . The team will be chaired by an expert staff for political and administration affairs," Fauzi said at the Presidential Office here on Thursday.

The minister made the remarks in connection with the delay of the inauguration of Arief R Wismansyah and Sachrudin as Tangerang Mayor and Deputy Mayor. The mayor-elect should have been installed by Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah on December 15, 2013. But it has been delayed.

Ratu Atut Chosiyah has been named a suspect by the Corruption Elimination Commission (KPK) for alleged implication in a corruption case with regard to the Lebark Districts regional head election and the procurement of health devices.

"Hopefully, with the arrival of the team we will have clear reason about the delay of the Tangerang mayors appointment," the home affairs minister said.

Fauzi said that based on the law, a regional head can only be suspended if he or she was already named a defendant by the KPK. So, Ratu Atut in this case still could run the Banten provincial government.

"The law said that a regional head shall be suspended if he or she is already named as a defendant. Atut now is still a suspect," he said.

Minister Fauzi said that Atut still could basically install the new mayor but "Is she prepared to carry out the inauguration?".

Fauzi said that if Atut was not prepared to appoint the mayor, she could return the mandate to the President.

"The President in this case will appoint the one who will carry out the inauguration, whether it will be me in my capacity as the home affairs minister, or it will be the deputy governor.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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