Rizal Nurdin elected governor

Rizal Nurdin elected governor

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Maj. Gen. T. Rizal Nurdin, the former
chief of Bukit Barisan Military Command, saw off challenges from
rivals Usman Pelly and A.M. Situmorang and was elected North
Sumatra governor for 1998/2003 yesterday.

Nurdin won 49 votes from the provincial legislature, Pelly
obtained three votes and Situmorang received a mere two votes in
the election which was presided over by chairman of the
provincial legislative body Mat Iskak.

Director General for Public Administration and Regional
Autonomy Oman Sachroni, who was in charge of the election, said
the North Sumatra gubernatorial election was better than those in
other provinces.

"It was more efficient because it was concluded in only two
hours," he said.

Some local leaders hailed Rizal Nurdin's election and praised
him for demonstrating effective leadership. (21)