Maulana challenges Medan mayor

Maulana challenges Medan mayor

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The deputy mayor of Medan, North
Sumatra, Maulana Pohan said here on Friday that he was preparing
himself to challenge mayor Abdillah in the first-ever direct
election for mayor next year.

He said that he would pair up with Budi Panggabean to face
Abdillah who has taken Ramli M.M., secretary of the municipal
administration, to be his running mate in the direct election.

Political support from businessmen in the city have poured in
for the Maulana-Budi ticket in their efforts to make Medan a
"metropolitan city" within the next five years.

More politicians are expected to announce their candidacy for
the election which is likely to be held in May 2005. (--JP)