N. Sumatra has new governor

N. Sumatra has new governor

MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan
Hamid swore in yesterday Maj. Gen. Rizal Nurdin as the new
governor of North Sumatra, replacing Lt. Gen. (ret.) Radja Inal
Siregar.

The swearing-in ceremony was held during a plenary session of
the provincial legislature presided over by speaker H.M. Iskak.

Nurdin, former chief of the Bukit Barisan Military Command
overseeing northern Sumatra, won the gubernatorial election in
the provincial council last month.

Nurdin's nomination had met opposition from several mass
organizations in the province which accused him of being involved
in nepotism since his nomination and not being supported by a
majority of the people in the province.

The provincial council received Nurdin's nomination after he
won the support of the Armed Forces (ABRI) leadership.

Syarwan asked Nurdin to eliminate collusion, corruption and
nepotism in the provincial administration.

"The demands for reform in all areas in the province should be
given a positive response and accommodated in accordance with the
Constitution," he said. (21/rms)