Toothache delays governor choice

JAKARTA (JP): The selection of East Kalimantan's gubernatorial candidates was delayed Wednesday because the speaker of the provincial legislative council, Harsono, had a toothache, a media report said yesterday.

The reason for the postponement of the top five-yearly political event irked both the public and the council politicians, who will present the candidates to the minister of home affairs for endorsement.

Some questioned why the meeting had to be put off as laws state that in situations when the council chief is absent he or she may be represented by a deputy.

Political observer Noorsyamsu Agang and law expert Fahrie Doemas from Mulawarman University in Samarinda said the delay would undermine the people's trust in the legislative council.

"How can a political event as important as the selection of the gubernatorial candidates be delayed by a toothache?" Noorsyamsu said, as reported by Antara.

Jacob Tulak, a councilor from the Armed Forces faction, said he was very disappointed by the postponement which would force the council to reschedule the meeting. (pan)