Puteh elected Aceh governor<\/p>\n
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Ignoring calls by President Abdurrahman
\nWahid and Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy Minister Surjadi
\nSoedirdja for delay, the Aceh Legislative Council elected
\nAbdullah Puteh governor of Aceh on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Abdullah Puteh, former chairman of formerly state-sponsored
\nyouth organization National Youth Committee (KNPI) and Azwar
\nAbubakar won 33 out of 54 ballots for governor and deputy
\ngovernor.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman asked the Aceh Legislative Council on Oct. 24 to
\ndelay the election until after the second Humanitarian Pause in
\nthe restive province is completed in January next year.<\/p>\n
That request was followed by an official letter on Nov. 2 from
\nminister Surjadi to Aceh Legislative Council speaker asking for a
\ndelay of the gubernatorial election.<\/p>\n
The legislative council speaker, Muhammad Yus, argued that the
\ngubernatorial election had nothing to do with the Humanitarian
\nPause between the government of Indonesia and the Aceh
\nseparatists' movement (GAM).<\/p>\n
Yus said on Saturday that the central government, in the
\nspirit of autonomy, should not interfere with the election.<\/p>\n
The central government had appointed Ramli Ridwan acting
\ngovernor after Sjamsuddin Mahmud was sacked last June.<\/p>\n
\"We need a definite governor,\" Yus said. He did not say when
\nthe elected governor and the deputy would be sworn in.<\/p>\n
Amid tight security, the election concluded without incident.
\nArmed policemen were seen in the parking lot of the legislative
\ncouncil building complex, where the election took place.<\/p>\n
Visitors were thoroughly searched before entering the
\ncompound.<\/p>\n
Chief of Teuku Umar Military Resort Col. Syarifuddin Tipe,
\nMayor Zulkarnein and two officials from Aceh City Hall were
\npresent at the election. Aceh Police chief Brig. Gen. Chaerul R.
\nRasyidi was not seen among the officials.<\/p>\n
Aceh has been rocked by rebellious actions by GAM members, and
\nhundreds of people, including civilians, security officers and
\nmembers of GAM have died in the prolonged conflict. (50\/sur)<\/p>",
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