Candidates short-listed

PADANG, West Sumatra: The number of governor candidates has dwindled from around 20 to six, Antara reported.

The remaining governor-hopefuls include deputy governor Muchlis Ibrahim and West Sumatra Legislative Council chairman Noer Bahri Said Pamuncak, both of whom have military backgrounds.

Civilians still in contention include Alimin Sinapa (assistant to the governor), Azhar Djaluis (deputy chairman of the National Atomic Agency), Irawadi Djamaran (deputy chairman of the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology) and Sabri Zakaria (head of the West Sumatra Public Works Office).

The legislative council is currently preparing the election of a new governor to replace Hasan Basri Durin, who finishes his term in December. Hasan turned in his resignation letter to President Soeharto in May. (emb)