Syamsumin elected provincial speaker

PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: The acting speaker of the provincial council here, Gusti Syamsumin, was elected on Monday as speaker by the 54 council members.

After being delayed for weeks, the West Kalimantan Council elected its speaker and three deputy speakers.

Gusti Syamsumin from the Golkar Party faction easily defeated his closest rival, Hubertus Tekuwaan Oevang Oeray of the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika Party, 48 votes to six.

The election for the deputy speakers was also conducted by vote. The first deputy speaker elected was Rudy Alamsyahrum from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, who defeated four other candidates.

The second deputy speaker, Silvanus Sungkalang from the United Development Party, defeated three other candidates.

Suharsono from the Indonesian Military faction was elected the third deputy speaker by defeating two other candidates.

Gusti told Antara after the election his first task would be to carry out the council's plan to establish five legislative commissions to improve the work of the council. (02)