Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu
The Palu chapter of the Indonesian National Youth Committee on Thursday demanded Central Sulawesi Deputy Governor Achmad Yahya resign over "insensitive" remarks he made in the media.
"Achmad Yahya has not shown himself to be a good leader. He has insulted nearly two million Central Sulawesi residents," said Hardy Yambas, the chairman of the youth committee's Palu chapter.
The controversial remarks appeared in a story run May 21 by Fajar newspaper, which is based in Makassar, South Sulawesi. The story ran under the headline, "Concerned about poverty, choose the practical political way."
"Achmad Yahya said he was inspired to run for the deputy governor's post because the people of Central Sulawesi had been left far behind by other regions in terms of both welfare and literacy," according to the story.
Hardy demanded Achmad Yahya clarify his remarks and resign. "Achmad Yahya's statement is very dangerous as it has the potential to spark ethnic conflict. The Poso conflict is already enough. Don't create new conflicts."
Hardy said he had met with representatives of youth groups and community leaders to formulate a response to the deputy governor's statement.
He said critics would seek the deputy governor's resignation through the local legislative council and with mass rallies. He added that Achmad Yahya would be invited to a public debate to try and defend his position.
"We will test the extent of his knowledge that allows him to say the people of Central Sulawesi are stupid. He's the one who must be unintelligent, to make such a statement as the deputy governor," Hardy said.
Bustamin Nongtji, an academic at Tadulako University, was also critical of Achmad Yahya. He said the deputy governor was only in office because of the clout of the governor, Bandjela Paliudju.
"If he were not Paliudju's running mate, it would have been impossible for him to become deputy governor," said Bustamin, who is a lecturer at the university's law school.
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