Mardiyanto elected C. Java governor

SEMARANG: The Central Java legislative council voted overwhelmingly yesterday for Maj. Gen. Mardiyanto, assistant to Armed Forces (ABRI) chief of sociopolitical affairs, as the new governor to replace controversial Soewardi.

Out of 99 legislators, 74 voted for Mardiyanto, placing him way above his competitors Winarno Suryoadisubroto (who obtained 20 votes) and Soetardjo Djojobroto (four votes). The remaining ballot was defective.

Mardiyanto will assume the post Aug. 24.

The session was presided over by council chairman Alip Pandoyo and guarded by 477 security officers. Also attending were the Ministry of Home Affairs' Director General of Sociopolitical Affairs Maj. Gen. Dunidja and Central Java military chief Maj. Gen. Tyasno Sudarto.

Soewardi was widely criticized for many of his policies, including the construction of luxurious mansion for his official residence and all-out campaign to bring victory to the ruling Golkar in the region in last year's general election. (har)