Ali Mazi wins gubernatorial election in SE Sulawesi

Ali Mazi wins gubernatorial election in SE Sulawesi

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Candidates Ali Mazi and Yusran Silondae won a majority of votes
in the election for governor and deputy governor conducted by the
Southeast Sulawesi Legislative Council in Kendari on Thursday, to
replace outgoing governor La Ode Kaimoeddin.

Of 43 legislators who attended the legislature's plenary
session, 24 cast their votes for Ali and Yusran who were
nominated by the Golkar Party faction, eleven voted for running
mates Ismail Tangka and Yusron Silondae who were nominated by the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction
and the remaining eight gave their votes to Djaali and Ibrahim
Palace, nominated by the Reform Party faction.

The Indonesian Military/National Police faction did not
nominate any candidates in the gubernatorial election.

Antara news agency reported that also present in the plenary
session presided over by Hino Biohanis, chairman of the
legislative council, was outgoing governor la Ode Kaimoeddin and
Andi Mattalata, deputy chairman of Golkar Party.

Hundreds of students who demanded a direct gubernatorial
election clashed with a score of riot police who were deployed to
maintain security during the election. Several demonstrators were
injured and several others were held by police for further
questioning.

Kaimoeddin's term of office will end on Dec. 23, 2002.

Hino said in the closing ceremony of the gubernatorial
election that the public were allowed to lodge their complaints
with the legislature if they had any objections to the election
of Ali and Yusran in the next three working days from Friday
until Monday.

"The provincial legislative council will hold another plenary
session on Wednesday to approve the election results," he said,
referring to Government Regulation No. 108/2000 on the
replacement of regional officials.

The government regulation requires the provincial legislative
council to propose the elected pair's names to President Megawati
Soekarnoputri for approval.

"If the President gives her approval, Ali and Yusron will be
sworn in by the home minister as new governor and deputy governor
respectively on Dec. 23, 2002," he said.

Ali Mazi, was born in Pasar Wajo, Buton regency in 1961 and is
a graduate of the University of Indonesia. Besides running a law
firm, he also established the Ali Mazi Center, a non-governmental
organization in Jakarta.

During the presentation of his vision and mission before the
provincial legislative council, Ali vowed to promote sustainable
development programs to improve local people's welfare.

Yusron was born in Tolaki, Makassar, South Sulawesi in 1952,
and is an alumni of the University of Indonesia. He has developed
a career in the provincial administration. His present position
is chief of the training and education department at the
provincial administration.