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