IN April 2000, Felix Fernandez, a law graduate from the provinces (lewotanah) became Regent (Bupati) of East Flores. Much hope was placed on this 56-year-old man. No less than Father Frans Amanue waited with anticipation for the implementation of "the Bupati's vision of developing an economy favoring the common people".

But the honeymoon did not last long. A number of people from the easternmost part of Flores Island, have begun to question a