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)