Rusli begins second term as Riau gov

Rizal Harahap ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Pekanbaru   |  Sat, 11/22/2008 12:58 PM  |  The Archipelago

Home Minister Mardiyanto swore in Rusli Zainal and Mambang Mit as governor and vice governor of Riau for the 2008-2013 term, at Riau Legislature in Pekanbaru on Friday.

The swearing in ceremony and appointment of the incumbent candidate pair (who had won the election Sept. 22) was based on Presidential Decree No. 110/2008, dated Nov. 13, 2008.

Mardiyanto told the pair to carry out their mandate to serve the community as best they could. He also reminded every component of Riau society to support the new leaders over the next five years.

"Let me remind you again that the officials sworn in today are owned by the whole people of Riau. I urge the community to support the mission and vision of the elected governor," Mardiyanto said in his keynote address.

Riau is a rich province, replete with natural resources and with its strategic location as an international gateway to Sumatra, Mardiyanto said.

"The governor should work toward developing the economy, alleviating poverty, improving education and health care standards and creating more jobs," he said.

Mardiyanto also reminded the governor to ensure accountability and transparency in his administration and to formulate a financial report for the province. As a provincial representative of the central government, the governor was also required to supervise regents and mayors, he said.

"He must work to eradicate corruption, especially in the procurement of inventories and services," Mardiyanto said.

Mardiyanto thanked the people of Riau on behalf of the government, for the successful election which ran peacefully and smoothly, hoping this would be repeated during the legislative and presidential elections next year.

Also at the ceremony, Riau council speaker Johar Firdaus called on all components of society to end political hostility during elections.

"None of the groups won or lost the election. The real winners are the people of Riau. Put an end to differences we saw during the election. Let's work together to develop Riau," he said.

During the swearing in ceremony, two groups of students held rallies outside the Riau legislative council building.

The Riau chapter of Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front (KAMMI) and the Students' Executive Bodies (BEM) of Riau University and Riau Islam University conveyed five demands to the newly elected governor, which included the realization of nine-year mandatory education; a clean administration; and policies that favored the economic empowerment of the people.

Students members of the Association of Islamic Students (HMI) Pekanbaru chapter criticized the planned inauguration party which would be held on Friday evening, saying the extravagant event would contrast with the condition of many members of the population who were still trapped in poverty.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla was scheduled to attend the Friday night event, along with a number of ministers and members of the House of Representatives.

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