Andi Hajramurni, Makassar – Civil servants Monday rallied at the governor's office in Makassar, South Sulawesi, the second protest against the Supreme Court's decision to call for repeat gubernatorial election in four regencies.

The state employees, among them heads of agencies, urged the central government, through the minister of home affairs, to install governor-elect Syahrul Yasin Limpo and his running mate Agus Arifin Nu'mang, as governor and vice governor respectively for the 2008-2013 term, according to schedule on Jan. 19.

A protester, Agus Sumantri, said: "We only wish the democratic process which occurred during the gubernatorial election on Nov. 7 last year be upheld and respected because it was based on the election results of the people of South Sulawesi." He added that Syahrul and Agus be sworn in according to schedule because there would be a negative impact on the people otherwise. "How can the government do their job if it's (the election results) are still unclear," said Agus, an employee at the gubernatorial office.

He said the new elections would hurt South Sulawesi because they would require budget funds which otherwise go to development and social welfare.

He intimated that new elections weren't worth the risk: "It would be favorable if it runs smoothly, but it could also spark unrest."

Neither Amin – the incumbent and loser in the Nov. poll – nor Syahrul – the incumbent vice governor who ran against Amin and won – were present during the protest.

It was the second protest by the civil servants. Amin had criticized the participation of staffers in the first rally but was unheeded. They urged that he accept defeat.

The rally took place peacefully despite disrupting public services. Employees returned to work after the rally.