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Rahudman inaugurated as Medan's new mayor
Rahudman Harahap and Dzulmi Eldin were inaugurated as Medan's new mayor and deputy mayor Monday, a week after an appeal from rival candidates was rejected by the Constitutional Court
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R
ahudman Harahap and Dzulmi Eldin were inaugurated as Medan's new mayor and deputy mayor Monday, a week after an appeal from rival candidates was rejected by the Constitutional Court.
The swearing-in ceremony was held during a plenary session of the Medan municipal council and attended by North Sumatra Governor Syamsul Arifin.
The Rahudman-Eldin ticket was finally declared winners of the election over Sofyan Tan and Nelly Armayanti, who were not present at the ceremony.
In a written speech read by Syamsul, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he hoped that Rahudman would involve every element of society in running his administration, including their rivals in the election.
Syamsul said the administration should immediately work to make Medan a better city.
"There are many things that must be done to improve Medan, especially in infrastructure and public services. This is a mandate from the people to Rahudman and Eldin," Syamsul said, adding they should fulfill the mandate as part of their services to God and the people.
Syamsul said building good rapport with authorities and the people were crucial for running the administration and urged Rahudman to make it a priority to realize his campaign promises.
Rahudman was also called upon to bridge the differences that surfaced during the campaign and to cooperate with administrative officials and legislators.
"Don't be ashamed to learn from other successful regions," he said.
Rahudman said his initial steps would be to immediately map out the issues so as to improve the city in stages.
Medan's most urgent needs are improvements in education, infrastructure, public services and the work ethics of civil servants, according to an initial assessment, he said.
Rahudman added that he would ask every civil servant in the Medan municipal administration to support his programs for the sake of good governance and public services.
One resident offered the new mayor advice. "Rahudman should learn from the previous leaders and never compromise in enforcing the law. He must focus on developing Medan for the sake of people's welfare," resident Irsal Fikri said.
