Maluku gets new governor

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)