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Deceased candidate’s wife touted as replacement in North Maluku race
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North Maluku gubernatorial candidate Benny Laos (left) and his running mate Sarbin Sehe (second left) hold up their ballot number on Sept. 23, 2024, during an event at the North Maluku General Elections Commission (KPU) in Sofifi, North Maluku, alongside rival pairs (from third left) Husain Alting Sjah and Asrul Rasyid Ichsan, Muhammad Kasuba and Basri Salama, as well as Aliong Mus and Sahril Thahir. (Antara/Andri Saputra)
The alliance of political parties that supported North Maluku gubernatorial candidate Benny Laos is considering nominating his wife Sherly Tjoanda for the November election after the businessman-turned-politician died in a boat explosion over the weekend.
A spokesperson for Benny’s campaign team, Muksin Amrin, said the alliance was planning to pair Sherly with Benny's running mate Sarbin Sehe, a former official at the local religious affairs office.
"We feel that Sherly could continue her husband's aspiration to improve the people's welfare," Muksin said on Sunday, as reported by tempo.co.
He added that representatives from the alliance would hold a meeting with Sherly on Tuesday to ask whether she was interested.
"We have also prepared another candidate if she refuses as we have very limited time [to seek a replacement for Benny]," Muksin said.
Benny was killed on Saturday, when a speedboat carrying him, Sherly, several members of his campaign team and other passengers exploded while refueling at Bobong Port in Taliabu Island regency.
Read also: North Maluku candidate Benny Laos, five others die in boat fire
