Maluku gets new governor

AMBON, Maluku: Mohammad Saleh Latuconsina, 49, has been elected as the new governor of Maluku for 1997/2002.

Mohammad Saleh, who received 35 votes, easily beat two other candidates -- Ahmad Said with five votes and Pieter Frans Leonard Maspaitella with four votes -- during a plenary meeting of the provincial legislative council on Saturday.

The current governor, M. Akib Latuconsina, failed to attend Saturday's vote, despite being invited. No reason was given for his absence.

Oman Sachroni, the Ministry of Home Affairs' director general of administration and provincial autonomy who came to witness the election, said the governor was probably busy.

"Maybe he was busy or had prior engagements. Whatever the reason, the election is still valid even without his presence," Omar was quoted by Antara as saying.

The new governor will be sworn in on Nov. 11. Mohammad Saleh currently holds the post as head of the provincial development planning board. (mds)