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)