Apriadi Gunawan, Medan – The swearing-in ceremony for the new Southeast Aceh regent turned into a clash between protesters and the police Saturday, leaving at least 26 people injured.
The new regent, Hasanuddin, and his deputy, Syamsul Bahri, were installed by Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf as scheduled on Saturday, despite controversy.
On Friday, Southeast Aceh Legislative Council Speaker Umaruddin Desky asked Home Minister Mardiyanto to cancel the inauguration ceremony. During a hearing at the House of Representatives in Jakarta, he said the ceremony should be postponed until all the legal problems surrounding the election of the pair had been resolved.
Saturday's clash resulted in some of the guests attending the ceremony fleeing to safety. But the protesters were blocked by the police who arrived to secure the scene.
At least 20 protesters and six police officers were injured in the clash. The Southeast Aceh Police also detained 12 protesters involved in the clash.
The protest leader, Nawi Sekedang, condemned the police for what he termed their "repressive" approach to the rally. He said the protesters had been airing their views against the swearing-in of the pair as Hasanuddin had not received the approval of the council and the regency's Independent Elections Committee (KIP).
"Several people were beaten up, and there were even some who were hit by rubber bullets. We also found two real bullets at the scene. We're still looking into this," Nawi told The Jakarta Post by phone Saturday from Medan, North Sumatra. He said the injured victims were currently being treated at a number of clinics or at home.
Meanwhile, Southeast Aceh Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Tursilo said Saturday the police had detained 12 protesters. He said the police were still questioning the protesters but they would be released if they were found not to have been involved in the clash.
When asked about the alleged violence, Tursilo said the police had no other option as the protesters had resorted to anarchy while trying to stop the regent's swearing-in.
"Our job is only to secure the swearing-in ceremony. If there are people who try to disrupt or stop it, we have to take action," he told the Post.
He said the ceremony had gone ahead as scheduled, but it had not been attended by Southeast Aceh Legislative Council leaders and members as they claimed the move was illegal.
The controversy began when Armen Desky and running mate Salim Fakhri were named the winners of the direct regency election in December 2006. Armen and Salim were declared the winners by the Southeast Aceh Independent Elections Committee (KIP) on May 16 this year. However, the regency-level committee was then dissolved by the provincial office without explanation.
The Home Ministry then issued a decree naming Hassanudin and Syamsul the winners. However, the council is insisting the winners of the direct regental election last December was Armen and Salim. The pairing was supported by Golkar and several other political parties.
The newly installed regent and his deputy were supported by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Indonesian Unity Party (PSI).