City to get new secretary

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Governor Sutiyoso submitted the names of five candidates to the City Council for approval on Monday for the post of city secretary.

"I hope the council's leaders will approve the candidates soon," Sutiyoso said at City Hall.

The post of city secretary is still held by Fauzi Bowo, who was elected deputy governor in September.

The five candidates are City Development Planning Office head Ritola Tasmaya, financial assistant to the city secretary Makmun Amin, City Council Secretary Moerdiman, West Jakarta Mayor Sarimun Hadisaputra and the former public administrative assistant to the city secretary, Tursandi Alwi.

Sutiyoso earlier hinted he would prefer Ritola to become the new city secretary because of his experience and overseas education, but many councillors objected because he just "entered" City Hall last year.

Ritola, a medical doctor who earned a master's degree in public administration in the U.S., was the head of the National Family Planning Coordinating Body's city chapter before being installed as the public administrative assistant to the city secretary last year.

Many councillors back Makmun, who has been with the administration from the beginning. However, Sutiyoso reportedly opposes him because if Makmum, who is Fauzi's aide, is given the post it would strengthen the position of Fauzi in the administration. --JP