W. Java gubernatorial hopefuls make glowing introduction<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Candidates for the West Java governorship arrived in luxury
\ncars, on a bike, alone and with dozens of cheering supporters at
\nthe provincial legislative building in Bandung on Wednesday, in
\ntheir first public appearance to introduce themselves.<\/p>\n
Some of the 80 would-be governors and deputy governors made a
\npublic display of wealth and power. While others arrived with
\nmuch less fanfare, one even riding in on a bicycle adorned with
\nflags and a broom, detik.com reported on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The candidates hope to take over the province's top post now
\nheld by R. Nuriana, whose second term as governor ends in June.<\/p>\n
The upcoming gubernatorial election will be West Java's first
\nunder the regional autonomy law, which empowers councillors to
\nelect the governor.<\/p>\n
Among the candidates being touted to replace Nuriana are
\nretired military officers Maj. Gen. Tayo Tarmadi and Maj. Gen.
\nAdang Ruchiatna, and retired police officer Lt. Gen. Nana S.
\nPermana.<\/p>\n
Several public officials are also joining the race, among them
\ndeputy governor Husein Jachjasaputra and the province's
\nsecretary, Danny Setiawan.<\/p>\n
Luxury cars belonging to some of the candidates filled the
\nparking lot of the council building, which is known as the Gedung
\nSatay (satay building).<\/p>\n
The man with the bike and the broom, Sariban, is among the
\nindependent candidates. Well-groomed and wearing a dark red tie,
\nSariban said he was a janitor, but little else is known about
\nhim.<\/p>\n
Regardless of their background, each candidate had the chance
\non Wednesday to address the council in the plenary meeting hall.<\/p>\n
Many of the councillors, however, seemed much happier
\nfollowing the speeches on television sets mounted outside the
\nhall.<\/p>\n
Supporters of the candidates packed the grounds of the
\nlegislative building. Some of the stronger candidates, like Danny
\nSetiawan, Tayo Tarmadi and Adang Ruchiatna, attracted large
\ncrowds of supporters, as well as people who just wanted to shake
\ntheir hands or have a picture taken with them.<\/p>\n
"Mr. Governor, Mr. Governor!" the crowd shouted to the
\ncandidates as they left the meeting hall.<\/p>\n
West Java's next governor will have to cope with a host of
\nproblems, including security, economic and environmental issues.<\/p>\n
During former president Soeharto's 30-year rule, West Java was
\nseen as the backbone for security in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
As a result, Soeharto reserved the governorship in West Java
\nfor retired military officers, which was also the case for
\nCentral and East Java.<\/p>\n
Before becoming governor in 1992, Nuriana was the head of the
\nSiliwangi Military Command, which oversees the province.<\/p>\n
One candidate, Tayo, another former head of the Siliwangi
\nMilitary Command, hopes to continue this tradition.<\/p>\n
But some councillors have said it is time to dispel the notion
\nthat the governor of West Java must have a military background.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/w-java-gubernatorial-hopefuls-make-glowing-introduction-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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