Hadi Susanto new Kutai regent

SAMARINDA: After months of controversy, Hadi Susanto was appointed as acting Kutai Kartanegara regent on Wednesday replacing acting regent Awang Darma Bakti, following a decision by Minister of Home Affairs M. Maruf.

Explaining his decision in a letter, Maruf said he had found Awang was unable to run the administration and secure the area facing the upcoming regional elections.

The ceremony took place at the East Kalimantan governor's office in Samarinda, attended by Governor Suwarna AF and officials from the provincial administration and the regional council.

Hadi had earlier worked as an official at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Governor Suwarna said he hoped the decision would bring security to the area so the election of regional representatives could proceed as scheduled.

Many residents had protested Hadi's removal from power last year when his term officially ended. -- JP