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)