Yuli Tri Suwarni, Bandung – Demonstrators representing 27 Muslim groups rallied in Bandung on Monday, demanding that the West Java governor remove the Garut regency secretary for his alleged adherence to the minority Islamic Ahmadiyah sect.

The official, Iman Alirahman, was a member of the Ahmadiyah group, which was banned under a provincial bylaw, and should be dismissed or transferred, according to protest spokesperson Zamzam Zomantara.

"This is the third time in the last two months that we have come here to Bandung, which is 40 kilometers from Garut, to express our demands."

Zamzam alleged that Iman fostered miscommunication between Garut Regent Aceng H.M. Fikri and Deputy Regent Dicky Chandra that led to Dicky's resignation.

"The regency secretary has committed many wrongdoings that have made Garut chaotic. He has insulted religion. He said he repented, but we have evidence of a 2011 receipt proving he is still sending money to Ahmadiyah," Zamzam said on Monday.

Iman had also violated civil service regulations on polygamy and had falsified land-sale documents, Zamzam alleged.

Some protesters voiced concerns that Iman would be promoted, despite what they identified as wrongdoings, and might even be appointed deputy regent. Aceng Fikri, however, said that he had not appointed a replacement for Dicky as he could manage governing the regency alone.

Meanwhile, West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan, who refused to meet with the protesters, said he had no authority over an official of an autonomous region.

Meanwhile, Dicky brushed aside suggestions that Iman had triggered his resignation, claiming Aceng Fikri had evinced poor leadership. "I failed to help the regency administration in a transparent manner in financial management and employment," Dicky said after the governor endorsed his resignation.