Singer wants to be IPB rector

BOGOR: More than 30 people, including singer Maya Rumantir, have registered as candidates for the post of rector of the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB).

The chairman of the rector electoral committee, Ismudi Muchsin, told Antara news agency the registration deadline for the election was Friday.

Most of the candidates are lecturers at the institute or IPB alumni, including economist Didik J. Rachnini.

IPB is the fourth state institution in the country to hold elections for the position of rector, with the contests being open to candidates from both within and outside the campus. This is in accordance with the change of status for these institutions from state-owned incorporate entities, which requires the institutes to raise their own money as the government gradually phases out their subsidies.

Maya, who runs an educational institute here, was at one time acquainted with the jailed son of former president Soeharto, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra.--JP