Drivers' strike paralyzes Padang

PADANG, West Sumatra: A strike over prices staged by public transportation drivers paralyzed the provincial capital on Monday and stranded thousands of students.

The strike coincided with the cancellation of a meeting planned by the West Sumatra provincial council to elect a replacement for Muchlis Ibrahim, who resigned as governor last Tuesday.

A few members of the council appeared at the local legislature to inform the legislators of the change in plans. The council has rejected the government's appointment of D. Dunidja as caretaker pending an election by local legislators and expected to name a native for the gubernatorial job.

In a related development, Muchlis said he would fly to Jakarta on Wednesday to visit the Ministry of Home Affairs to pick up a letter accepting his resignation.

Muchlis resigned in protest of the government's choice of Zainal Bakar as his deputy instead of his favorite, Nurmawan.

Later in the day, hundreds of striking drivers gathered at the legislature to channel their demands for lower prices for spare parts. (28)