Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – In a move that critics say shows the extent of Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah's political corruption in the province, the Banten Legislative Council (DPRD) has decided to keep her leadership intact even though she is currently detained on corruption charges.
The council said following a meeting on Tuesday that Atut was still the governor of Banten with Rano Karno as her deputy. "According to the law, the governor is still Ibu Atut and her deputy is still Pak Rano," DPRD speaker Aeng Herudin said as quoted by Antara.
Aeng reasoned that Atut had been doing a good job as governor since taking office in 2005. "The management of the provincial and regional administration has been going well, nothing has been abandoned by the governor," said the Democratic Party (PD) politician, who has been accused of accepting a luxury car from Atut's brother, Tubagus "Wawan" Chaeri Wardana.
Both Wawan and Atut have been charged in a bribery case involving former Constitutional Court chief Akil Mochtar. According to Aeng, Atut can still govern the province by signing documents that need to be authorized by her from behind bars.
Antara also reported that Rano would visit Atut at Pondok Bambu penitentiary to discuss his tasks. "To ensure that the administration continues to run well, I am ready to meet with Ibu Atut to talk about responsibilities."
The council's move has drawn a spate of criticism as well as allegations that it has been bribed by Atut and her family members.
Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) political analyst Siti Zuhro said on Wednesday that the council's decision undermined the government's efforts to combat rampant corruption. The DPRD, she said, was being insensitive to the political situation in Banten,.
"Maybe for the members of the DPRD it's not a problem [if Atut remains governing the province], but for the public, the government's ethical code and leadership morale has to be prioritized," she said.
She argued that the KPK's decision to arrest Atut should be enough for the DPRD and the Home Ministry to decide that Atut should be stripped of her position.
A political observer from Banten's Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, Dahnil Anzar, said that the council's decision was proof that Atut had control of the council, which is dominated by PD and Golkar Party politicians. "[The move] has confirmed the belief that the legislative body in Banten is nothing but legislatut," he said as quoted by republika.or.id.
The Home Ministry has said that Atut could only be suspended after being indicted and would be dismissed if found guilty by the court, as stipulated by the law.
The ministry, therefore, would also inaugurate graft suspect and Gunung Mas Regent Elect Hambit Bintih in his prison cell at Guntur penitentiary. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P)-backed Hambit is currently facing bribery allegations related to the Gunung Mas regency elections.