Budi Sugiharto/GB, Sampang – An angry mob has destroyed around 85% of the local legislature in Sampang on the island of Madura, East Java. Tensions have been mounting all week as protests rejecting the election of a new Regent have steadily grown larger and more confrontational. The mob ran amok on Wednesday night determined to stop the induction of Fadhilah Budiono set take place on Thursday.

Fadhilah Budiono, of the Indonesian Armed Forces/Police (TNI/Pol) faction, won the election over the candidate from the National Awakening Party (PKB). The mob which attacked the legislative complex are believed to be supporters of the PKB. The mob set upon the parliamentary complex at 5pm local time. The main building, housing the main meeting hall and the various commission's chambers, was gutted by fire and many of the ceilings collapsed. All the equipment, chairs, fittings and files have been destroyed.

Besides the main building, the mob also attacked the TNI/Police faction facilities on the grounds. Three rooms of the eight-room mess were burned to the ground. Other rooms were burst into and destroyed, windows broken, chairs overturned, equipment smashed. The office of the leader of the TNI/Police faction was broken into and a telephone and a television stolen.

Head of the Sampang legislature, Moh Hasan Ansari, admitted they have yet to fully assess the damage when contacted by Detik on Thursday. He said around one hectare of land had been affected by the fires.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered last Monday and brought the town to an utter standstill closing down the subdistrict's administrative offices, the Regent's offices, the office of the regional government, as well as all branches of the national and Islamic courts. The protesters also blocked the city's entrance and exit in the western area of the town. Nevertheless, the appointment and induction ceremony were endorsed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

With the destruction the buildings, the mob has at least managed to postpone the induction of Fadhilah Budiono, who they accuse of misappropriating rice and aid for refugees from Sambas, West Kalimantan, living in Madura. A meeting is scheduled for next Sunday between leaders of the PKB and the largest faction in the parliament, the United Development Party (PPP).