Ex-graft inmate Huzrin Hood is among candidates running for
the post of head of the Batam Free Trade Zone Management Agency (BP
FTZ), previously known as Batam Authority. Current BP FTZ head Mustofa
Wijaya will finish his tenure in September, but the names of candidates
running for the agency’s top post have started to spring up. Other
candidates include former Batam City-chapter Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (KADIN) chairman Nada Faza Soraya, head of Riau Islands
investment board Jhon Arizal and BP FTZ deputy head Fitrah Kamaruddin.
Hood
had been rumored as a potential candidate since last year. The ex-graft
prisoner, who is widely known for his close relationship with Riau
Islands Governor Muhammad Sani, was nominated by the Riau Islands
Council.
Commenting on the ex-graft inmate’s candidacy, Ahars
Sulaiman, head of Commission II overseeing economy and finance at the
Riau Islands Legislative Council (DPRD), said on Sunday that there
should be a set of variables people could use to decide whether or not a
candidate was eligible to be elected as the BP FTZ head.
“Each
candidate needs a response from public. As the candidates would not be
directly elected by voters, they must first show the public that they
satisfy all of the eligibility requirements. It would be good for a
region if such eligibility procedures took place. Recognizing the track
record of a candidate is important,” said Ahars.
He acknowledged
that in the BP FTZ’s head election process, the Riau Islands governor
had the right to nominate a candidate to the President. However, he also
hoped that there could be a public examination at the local level to
decide on the candidates the Riau Islands government would propose to
the President.
Hood was a member of Muhammad Sani’s campaign team
when he ran for governor. As the province’s governor, Sani also serves
as ex-officio head of the special economic zone (KEK) council for Batam,
Bintan and Karimun.
Judges sentenced Hood to two years
imprisonment in 2004 after the former Bintan regent was found guilty in a
corruption case involving more than Rp 3.5 billion (US$361,683). Hood
was unable to finish his tenure as regent and was replaced by his
deputy.
The BP FTZ’s director for one stop integrated services
(PTSP) and publication, Dwi Djoko Wiwoho, said that the election process
would depend on the results of the fit- and-proper test that each
candidate would take, and the President who would make the final
decision.
“There are lots of people running, both from inside and
outside of the agency. As an official here, we will just follow the
process because it is the government that knows who is the best choice
for this institution,” said Djoko.
Home Affairs Minister Gamawan
Fauzi had previously issued a circular to local leaders that said they
should not elect ex-graft inmates as public officials. The circular was
issued after the Riau Islands governor promoted Azirwan as the
province’s head of the maritime and fisheries department. Azirwan was
arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for allegedly
bribing Al Amin Nasution, a House of Representatives member, to allow
forest conversions in Bintan. After facing pressure from locals and
antigraft activists, Azirwan resigned. (ebf)
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