Palaguna not to seek third term

Palaguna not to seek third term

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: South Sulawesi Governor HZB Palaguna
will not run for a third successive five-year term because he has
tendered his resignation.

The provincial administration spokesman, Syamsuddin, said on
Wednesdaythe governor, whose term of office will expire on Jan.
19 next year, submitted his resignation to President Megawati
Soekarnoputri on Monday.

"It was the governor's initiative to create a favorable and
smooth gubernatorial election process so that no time and money
will be wasted," Syamsuddin said.

Palaguna was a military commander overseeing Sulawesi before
he was elected governor in 1993.

The governor's move to resign comes before the provincial
legislature reminds him that his tenure will expire. Article 53
of Law No. 22/1999 on Regional Autonomy stipulates that the
provincial council has to write to the governor six months before
the gubernatorial election to remind him/her that their term has
nearly ended.

Palaguna will present his accoutability report before the
council in four months from now. -- JP