New synod chief elected

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)