TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Home Affairs expressed its respect for the political and legal process related to the planned impeachment of Jember Regent Faida by the Regional Representative Council (DPRD). The ministry spokesman Bahtiar said the DPRD's decision was in line with the mandate of Article 80 of Law No. 23/2014 concerning regional government.

“The move taken by the Jember DPRD is actually legitimate, as mandated by Article 80 of the Regional Government Law. We just need to respect the political process,” said Bahtiar in a written statement on Thursday, July 23.

Bahtiar explained the dismissal of a regent and/or deputy regent and a mayor and/or deputy mayor can be proposed to the Home Affairs Minister and must be based on the court’s decision that the regional official violated the oath of office and did not carry out his or her obligations.

According to Bahtiar, the action was such a follow up of the council’s supervision function on regional governance. “The Home Affairs Ministry also demands the East Java Provincial Administration to facilitate the council’s decision under the rules since the governor is a representative of the central government,” he remarked.

The Jember DPRD previously held a plenary season on Wednesday, July 22, with an agenda of Faida impeachment. The meeting attended by 45 councilors agreed to dismiss the female regent.

The results from the plenary session would be forwarded to the Supreme Court for material testing and evidence examination. “We are now waiting for the Supreme Court’s ruling,” Bahtiar said.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI