New synod chief elected

AMBON, Maluku: Rev. Broery Hendriks was named the new head of the Maluku Protestant Church (GPM) Synod for the next five years in an election that was marked by a heated debate on Friday.

Broery, 51, defeated seven other candidates by securing 112 of the 176 votes.

His closet rival, Rev. J.M. Pattiasina, the former secretary- general of the Indonesian Council of Churches, received 30 votes to finish second in the election.

Rev. Leo Lohy and Rev. Hengky Leleuri were elected vice chairmen, and Rev. Buce Mailoa was elected secretary-general.

The election capped the 34th congress of the GPM Synod, which was attended by 500 representatives from churches in Maluku and envoys from the Netherlands and the United States.

Several Muslim representatives from Maluku attended the induction of Broery.

The secretary-general of the Maluku office of the Indonesian Ulemas Council, Malik Selang, praised the result of the election, saying he believed the duo of Broery and Buce would be able to help maintain peace in Maluku.

Earlier in the day, violence erupted on Ambon island following a dispute between residents of two predominantly Muslim villages in Jasirah Leihitu district.

"Fire razed the village ... apparently there was a dispute between residents and we are still checking out the situation and possible casualties," Ambon Security Sector I chief Col. N.G. Sugiartha told The Jakarta Post by phone on Friday. (49/edt)