Puteh elected Aceh governor
Puteh elected Aceh governor
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Ignoring calls by President Abdurrahman
Wahid and Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy Minister Surjadi
Soedirdja for delay, the Aceh Legislative Council elected
Abdullah Puteh governor of Aceh on Saturday.
Abdullah Puteh, former chairman of formerly state-sponsored
youth organization National Youth Committee (KNPI) and Azwar
Abubakar won 33 out of 54 ballots for governor and deputy
governor.
Abdurrahman asked the Aceh Legislative Council on Oct. 24 to
delay the election until after the second Humanitarian Pause in
the restive province is completed in January next year.
That request was followed by an official letter on Nov. 2 from
minister Surjadi to Aceh Legislative Council speaker asking for a
delay of the gubernatorial election.
The legislative council speaker, Muhammad Yus, argued that the
gubernatorial election had nothing to do with the Humanitarian
Pause between the government of Indonesia and the Aceh
separatists' movement (GAM).
Yus said on Saturday that the central government, in the
spirit of autonomy, should not interfere with the election.
The central government had appointed Ramli Ridwan acting
governor after Sjamsuddin Mahmud was sacked last June.
"We need a definite governor," Yus said. He did not say when
the elected governor and the deputy would be sworn in.
Amid tight security, the election concluded without incident.
Armed policemen were seen in the parking lot of the legislative
council building complex, where the election took place.
Visitors were thoroughly searched before entering the
compound.
Chief of Teuku Umar Military Resort Col. Syarifuddin Tipe,
Mayor Zulkarnein and two officials from Aceh City Hall were
present at the election. Aceh Police chief Brig. Gen. Chaerul R.
Rasyidi was not seen among the officials.
Aceh has been rocked by rebellious actions by GAM members, and
hundreds of people, including civilians, security officers and
members of GAM have died in the prolonged conflict. (50/sur)