West Java has first civilian leaders
West Java has first civilian leaders
Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung
West Java made history on Friday by electing a governor and
deputy governor who are both civilians.
Danny Setiawan a bureaucrat in the West Java and Banten
administration was sworn in as governor for the 2003-2008 period,
replacing R. Nuriana, an retired Army major general who has led
the province for a decade. Nu'man Abdul Hakim, a legislator of
the United Democratic Party (PPP), was installed as deputy
governor.
Both were sworn in by home minister Hari Sabarno representing
President Megawati Soekarnoputri, at the West Java provincial
legislative building in the city on Friday. Also attending the
ceremony were outgoing governor R. Nuriana and a number of Golkar
and PPP legislators from Jakarta.
Nuriana's term of office was extended following the delay of
the installation of the new governor previously scheduled for
June 8, the same day Nuriana's second term of office ended.
Danny and Nu'man who were nominated by the Golkar Party and
PPP factions won the gubernatorial election held on May 22,
defeating Tayo Tarmadi and Rudy Harsa Tanaya nominated by the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and
National Awakening Party (PKB).
PDI Perjuangan and PKB constitute two major factions at the
provincial legislative council.
Megawati, also chairwoman of PDI Perjuangan, supported Tayo's
candidacy. Tayo is the former chief of the Siliwangi Military
Command overseeing West Java.
Provincial legislature chairman Eka Santosa hailed the recent
gubernatorial election as the first-ever democratic election that
resulted in the election of a civilian governor and deputy
governor, saying that the province was entering a new era since
it would be led by a nonmilitary man.
The province has been governed by the military since former
president Soeharto came to power.
Danny, former secretary to the provincial administration,
started his career as head of the Lebak district in Banten in
1970s. He later served as secretary of the Lebak regency and had
been entrusted to occupy strategic positions in the province
before his appointment as secretary of the provincial
administration in 2000.
Minister Hari asked Danny to work hard to improve people's
welfare and accelerate economic development in the province, home
to 36 million people of numerous ethnic and religions
backgrounds.
"The new governor should be aware of West Java's strategic
position as a buffer for the capital of Jakarta. You must be able
to make anticipate problems emerging in the province that may
spread to Jakarta," he said.
He also asked the new governor to revamp the province's
bureaucracy to make his administration efficient and effective.