Apriadi Gunawan, Medan – Southeast Aceh regency was tense Monday evening after the installation of Marthin Desky as acting regent, replacing Rajidin, by Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Governor Irwandi Yusuf earlier in the day.

Both residents and officials at the regency administration strongly opposed the installation, held in Aceh's capital Banda Aceh.

Thousands of people from a number of regions staged a rally in front of the Southeast Aceh Legislative Council and the office of its regent, against what they called the "deep intervention" of the Aceh governor.

Marthin was made acting regent after a prolonged dispute over the regency's elections. Unlike other regencies and municipalities in Aceh, candidates from the Free Aceh Movement did not run for office in Southeast Aceh.

Southeast Aceh is regarded as a "white area" where no clashes ever took place during the long Aceh conflict.

The Independent Election Commission in Southeast Aceh delayed announcing Hasanuddin and his running mate Syamsul Bahri as winners in the Dec. 11, 2006 election, following protests by other candidates over alleged vote rigging.

Besides Monday's rally, civil servants and high-ranking officials were also on strike, returning all state equipment, including vehicles and motorcycles, to the council.

Amri Siregar, Ketambe district head, said 15 of the 16 district heads in Southeast Aceh strongly opposed the installation of the new acting regent.

"At least 30 cars and 100 motorcycles have been returned to the Southeast Aceh Legislative Council building's compound. They were handed over by heads of districts, villages and other offices," Amri said, adding that the officials would not take back the vehicles until the Aceh governor reinstated Rajidin as the acting regent.

Amri questioned the replacement of Rajidin, saying he was known by locals as diligent and capable in his management of the administration.

Marthin used to be a secretary to the regency administration, but his record was poor, Amri said.

"I'm worried a sort of horizontal conflict will emerge. Pill hope Rajidin will be able to govern until the appointment of the new definitive regent... the people distrust Marthin," Amri said.

"We're suspicious of such a deep intervention. What does the Aceh governor really want? I feel as if the governor just wants to instill commotion in Southeast Aceh," said Amri, who said he would resign as district head if Marthin continued as acting regent.