Rizal vies reelection as N. Sumatra governor
Rizal vies reelection as N. Sumatra governor
Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra
North Sumatra Governor Rizal Nurdin said on Friday he was ready
to run for a second five-year term, although no political parties
have so far nominated him.
Rizal told a media conference he would join the gubernatorial
race only if his supporters nominated him unconditionally.
"I never asked anybody to give me this post, nor will I in the
next gubernatorial election. I'm not an ambitious man. My task is
to complete my term with flying colors," he said.
He also promised to refrain from offering money in exchange
for votes.
Earlier in the day a group of activists from the provincial
chapter of the Association of Islamic Student Alumni (PII), led
by scholar Usman Pelly, paid a visit to Rizal in a show of
support for his reelection.
In their statement the group said Rizal, a former Bukit
Barisan Military commander overseeing North Sumatra, fit the bill
for his strong leadership and achievements in improving the
province.
"We hope Rizal Nurdin does not reject the support of any
political party or community group for his reelection," Usman of
the Medan-based North Sumatra University said.
The election will be held in June 2003. Only factions in the
provincial legislative council will have the right to select
gubernatorial candidates, according to the law.
Rizal's nomination extends the list of gubernatorial
candidates for the 2003 to 2008 period.
The Golkar Party has nominated deputy governor Abdul Wahab
Dalimunthe and deputy provincial legislature speaker Serta
Ginting, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle Rudolf
Pardede and the United Development Party Hasrul Azwar.
All Rizal's contenders appeared confident about their chances
of winning the gubernatorial election.
"With the blessing of the legislature, I will go for the
election," Serta said.
Rudolf claimed his nomination was based on a mandate from his
party. "I must comply with the party's policy," he said.