N. Sumatra council speaker elected

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Ahmad Azhari of the Indonesian Democratic Party of struggle (PDI Perjuangan) was elected speaker of the provincial council in a tight election on Friday, defeating Golkar Party's Serta Ginting by one vote.

Ahmad, who received 33 votes, replaces the late Yunus Harahap.

Hasrul Azwar of the United Development Party finished third in the election with 11 votes, followed by Bahtiar Sonar Siregar of the Indonesian Military/National Police faction.

Antara reported that Ahmad's victory was the result of solid support from PDI Perjuangan, receiving all of the faction's 30 votes, plus three votes from a coalition faction. (mds)