House urges delay of Aceh elections

JAKARTA: The House of Representatives' Commission II for home and regional affairs has recommended the government delay the direct elections of local executive heads in tsunami-ravaged Aceh.

Commission member Abdul Gafur said on Thursday the proposed delay be imposed until the conditions improved in Aceh.

"The home affairs minister must prepare a legal basis for the delay," he said.

Out of the 20 regents and mayors in Aceh, at least 10 will end their five-year terms in February. The government has decided that direct elections for regional heads will start in June at the latest throughout the country.

The commission made the recommendation after a series of hearings with the home affairs minister, the state minister for state administrative reforms, and the state agrarian agency. -- JP