Acting Mayor of Bekasi, West Java Tri Adhianto confirmed that municipal service in the city remains normal despite the recent arrest of Bekasi Mayor Rahmat Effendi and some municipal officials on Thursday (Jan 6, 2022).
“We have immediately coordinated with the regional leaders’ forum and other stakeholders to ensure that municipal governance and services remain normal (following the mayor’s arrest),” the acting mayor told ANTARA in Bekasi on Friday.
Adhianto’s acting mayorship was made official by the Home Affairs Minister’s letter, dated January 6, 2021, that assigned him to replace Effendi, and to this end, West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil has handed over the letter to him today in Bandung, the province’s capital.
“This letter will ensure continuity of the government and public service,” he noted.
Adhianto, representing Bekasi’s residents, expressed gratitude to the central government for having assigned him to the acting mayorship position while expressing his commitment to coordinating with Governor Kamil for addressing issues in Bekasi.
“We also need to address psychological issues currently plaguing Bekasi’s residents and the government apparatus,” the acting mayor added.
He also expressed his commitment to conducting an internal evaluation following the governor’s instruction to eradicate corruption in the municipal government.
“Today, I received instructions, guidance, and strategic measures that I must follow to continue the development of Bekasi City,” Adhianto affirmed.
The acting mayor highlighted that implementation of the regional medium-term development plan, strategic plans, and campaign promises, which he and Effendi have composed, should continue despite Effendi’s arrest.
Earlier, on Thursday, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced Bekasi Mayor Rahmat Effendi and other officials as suspects for alleged graft in the procurement of goods and services and the public office tender process of the municipal government.
The KPK also seized Rp3 billion (US$202 thousand) in cash and Rp2 billion (US$140 thousand) bank account balance as evidence in the case during a raid on Wednesday (Jan 5, 2022).
Source: Antara News