Regional elections on the way in 2005

Regional elections on the way in 2005

JAKARTA: A total of 225 regional government heads, including
11 governors, will be directly elected by the end of 2005.

Minister of Home Affairs M. Ma'aruf said on Tuesday that the
government was finalizing the regulations to administer the
elections, while local governments are increasing dissemination
of information on the new format of regional elections.

"Dissemination of information is necessary to ensure that each
election takes place peacefully as happened in the first direct
presidential election," Ma'ruf said after attending a meeting
with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the country's 33
governors.

Meanwhile, tension has loomed in Kutai Kartanegara regency,
East Kalimantan recently after the government replaced Regent
Syaukani, whose term ended earlier this month, with an acting
regent who will prepare for the direct election in July. --JP