Annas Maamun to be Temporarily Removed from Post: Home Ministry

Pekanbaru, Riau (Antara) - The Home Affairs Ministry stated that Annas Maamun will be temporarily removed as the Riau Governor for his alleged role in a corruption case. "According to the Local Government Act endorsed on Friday afternoon, if any regional head is named a suspect in a corruption case, he/she will be prohibited from carrying out the duties," the Director General of Regional Autonomy of Home Affairs Ministry, Djohermansyah Djohan, said when contacted from Pekanbaru, on Friday. He remarked that the Ministry of Home Affairs was preparing a report to be submitted to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in connection with Annas Maamun, who has been named a suspect in a corruption case by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Meanwhile, he also sent a notification regarding Annas to the Riau provincial government so that the government can take required decisions in his absence. "We will also send a radiogram regarding the status of Annas to the Riau government," he said. Djohermansyah said the authority to perform the duties and functions of the Governor of Riau in his absence rests with the Deputy Governor, Arsyadjuliandi Rahman. However, he said that Annas Maamun will remain the Governor of Riau, until his legal status stays as the defendant. "So that the public services can run without any disruption," he noted. (*)