REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MEDAN -- Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo has inaugurated Eko Subowo as Acting Governor of North Sumatra, replacing HT Erry Nuradi, whose term ended on June 17. He was inaugurated in Medan, North Sumatra by the Minister, as the province awaits regional elections on June 27.
"The Acting Governor was supposed to be inaugurated as soon as HT Erry Nuradi's term of service finished, but it was postponed due to the Eid holidays," said Tjahjo.
He made the statement after the Inauguration Ceremony of the North Sumatra Governor and the handovers of authority for a number of government officials. Eko Subowo is the Director General of the Regional Administration Building in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Minister had his confidence in Subowo, becoming Acting Governor of North Sumatra, after considering his success in serving in the same position in West Papua.
Tjahjo asked the Acting Governor to carry out his duties, especially in maintaining a conducive atmosphere as the regional election approached. "Although he will only be in office for four months before the new governor is inaugurated, acting governors have full authority to carry out their duties," he said.
Subowo is also required to coordinate with the police force, district attorney, as well as other government officials and public figures, in performing his tasks as Acting Governor.
He was also asked to continue those programs that had been set as priority schemes by the previous governor HT Erry Nuradi.
To Nuradi, Minister Tjahjo expressed his gratitude, as he is recognized for been successful during his time in office as Governor of North Sumatra. Furthermore, the Acting Governor had noted his commitment in carrying out his duties and maintaining coordination with the Minister of Home Affairs.
Initially, the government had planned to appoint Inspector General Martuani Sormin as acting governor of North Sumatra and Inspector General Mochamad Iriawan as acting governor of West Java. They were considered as being capable of dealing with any problems and securing the third pilkada, which is to be held simultaneously across Indonesia on June 27, 2018.
However, the government cancelled the plan following massive protest against appointment of active high-ranking officials as acting governors of West Java and North Sumatra, as the incumbents are running for the second term. Nevertheless, the policy changed.
The government has installed Iriawan, who is now the main secretary of the National Defense Institute, (Lemhanas), as acting governor of West Java on Monday (June 18).