Devi Asmarani, Jakarta – Police yesterday fired blank warning shots, tear gas and water cannons to disperse thousands of protesters as Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso won a parliamentary vote for another five years in office.
An unlikely alliance of various groups, including students and militant Muslim group Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), rallied outside the City Council Building demanding that the 84 councillors not vote for the three-star retired army general, often described as the capital's most controversial figure.
Mr Sutiyoso and his running mate, Mr Fauzi Bowo, defeated six other pairs of candidates by securing 47 votes in Jakarta's first gubernatorial elections. They owed their victory mostly to the support from the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI-P), the Golkar party and the military.
President Megawati Sukarnoputri, the PDI-P chief, had ordered party members to support the governor much against the wishes of some party loyalists.
In 1996, Mr Sutiyoso was the commander of the Jakarta military garrison when soldiers attacked supporters of Ms Megawati, who was then an opposition leader, leading to a fatal riot with dozens of victims.
The attack was part of the then president Suharto's strategy to foil a growing opposition movement in the country. In 1997, Mr Sutiyoso was appointed governor by Mr Suharto who was ousted the following year.
In the last five years, the retired general has been condemned for poor leadership. Recently, he was criticsed for sluggishness in rescuing victims of floods that ravaged Jakarta early this year.
He also took flak for spending US$1.4 million on the renovation of a roundabout while neglecting the construction of flood canals. Media reports have also accused him of corruption in several infrastructure projects.
There has been speculation that yesterday's election was tainted with graft – which is usually rife in the election of regional leaders – although Mr Sutiyoso denied the allegations.
He said yesterday in a radio interview following the announcement: "Everyone should accept that I'm the governor and Fauzi is the deputy – this is a fair competition."
Outside the Jakarta administration compound, protesters gathered in a vain attempt to prevent the election. They blocked the entrance to the building, forcing councillors to arrive in police helicopters and armoured vehicles.
Mr Sutiyoso himself was transported to the building from his residence by helicopter for security reasons.
Mr M. Alawi of FPI said: "We're sick of Sutiyoso's leadership," alleging that he had been protecting prostitution, gambling and drug rings.
A demonstrator, Ms Iyah, said she resented the governor because he did nothing to help her community during this year's massive floods. "Our houses were two metres deep in water and we didn't get any help." Some 30 protesters were rushed to hospital after eating contaminated food.