After being without a mayor for over a year following the conviction of former mayor Soemarmo in a graft case in August 2012, Monday finally saw the swearing in of former deputy mayor Hendrar Prihadi as mayor
fter being without a mayor for over a year following the conviction of former mayor Soemarmo in a graft case in August 2012, Monday finally saw the swearing in of former deputy mayor Hendrar Prihadi as mayor.
Hendrar, who had been acting mayor during the interim period, will lead the municipality until 2015. The pairing of Soemarmo-Prihadi won the mayoral election in 2010.
After swearing in Prihadi, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo asked Hendrar to work hard to develop the provincial capital Semarang.
"Semarang is the icon of Central Java," Ganjar said.
He said that apart from a number of development projects due for completion, Semarang must address the recurrent flooding caused by seawater, or rob as it is locally known.
"Rob has always affected Semarang. The problem has not yet been solved. The plan to build sea walls must be realized," Ganjar said, assuring that the project would not cause fishermen to loose their livelihood.
Responding to the call, Hendrar said he was ready to work hard for the sake of Semarang.
"Please reprimand me if I commit wrongdoings. I welcome the idea of building sea walls. It's the responsibility of all of us," he said.
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