Governor hopefuls need ABRI's nod

Governor hopefuls need ABRI's nod

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Armed Forces (ABRI) members, whether
retired or active, still need the "blessing" of the military
chief if they wish to pursue a civilian position, head of the
ABRI faction in the North Sumatra legislature said.

H.A. Hafidz said such consent was also necessary for those
with a military background currently running as a candidate for
North Sumatra governor.

Nineteen of the 41 candidates in the running to replace two-
time governor Raja Inal Siregar have a military background. Of
the 19, eight still actively hold the rank of two-star general.

Among them are: Maj. Gen. Rizal Nurdin, the commander of Bukit
Barisan Military Command; Maj. Gen. Sabar Pakpahan currently a
staff member at the National Resilience Institute; and Maj. Gen.
Luhut Panjaitan, commander of the Army training center. (21)