Bungku's split from Morowali rejected

PALU, Central Sulawesi: Central Sulawesi Governor Aminuddin Ponulele rejected a demand on Tuesday by local residents to separate Bungku from Morowali regency.

The rejection was conveyed through a letter dated Jan. 8 to Morowali Regent Andi Muhammad.

The letter was in response to a request from the regent, who had urged the governor to support the separation of Bungku from Morowali.

Administration spokesman Baharuddin Maragau argued that Morowali regency had separated from Poso regency just five years ago and another partition would not be tolerated by the provincial government.

The demand that Bungku be made a separate regency centers around the debate of whether to make Bungku or Kolonodale the capital of Morowali. -- JP