Rev. Nathan named lawsuit against Johny

JAKARTA (JP): The Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) elected Rev. Nathan Setiabudi from West Java the new chairman in the final day of its congress in Central Kalimantan's capital of Palangkaraya on Saturday.

Protracted bickering among the congress' participants delayed the swearing in of Nathan and the communion's new lineup of executive board members until midnight.

The induction ceremony took place a few hours after the congress had been officially closed by Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and Poverty Eradication Basri Hasanuddin on Friday.

Nathan, who replaced Sularso Sopater, was named following an acrimonious debate among the team of selectors. According to Kompas daily, a flurry of interruptions marked the meeting.

The new lineup also includes Rev. Isak Lambe', who was named the new secretary-general in place of J.M. Pattiasina.

Former chairman Sularso was appointed a member of the communion's advisory council, which is chaired by senior politician Sabam Sirait. The chairman of National Law Commission J.E. Sahetapy serves as Sabam's deputy.

In the closing ceremony of the eight-day congress, Basri urged the churches, along with other religion's organizations, to enhance national unity and help the country solve disintegration threats. (dja)