Governor gets the thumbs down

SEMARANG, Central Java: In response to the outcry against the renomination of incumbent Governor Soewardi, the provincial legislature as decided not to place him on the list of nominees for the upcoming gubernatorial election.

"The decision by the four factions was taken because almost all levels of society have expressed their refusal to see Soewardi run for a second term," said Toyfoer, chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) faction here.

"We, of course, are following the aspirations of a majority of the people who reject Soewardi," he added.

He explained that none of the four factions at the provincial legislature -- Golkar, the United Development Party, PPP and the Armed Forces -- had nominated Soewardi and thus he would not be called up in the upcoming selection process with the other five candidates.

It was Soewardi who introduced the "yellowization" campaign prior to last year's general election. (har)