JAYAPURA: Syamsul Arief Rivai has been installed as Papua’s caretaker
governor amid legal uncertainties about the next election.
Syamsul
was most recently currently the Home Ministry’s director general for
regional development.
His inauguration was held at the
ministry’s headquarters in Jakarta on Monday, which saw the end of the
term of Syamsul’s predecessor, Barnabas Suebu.
“Syamsul is now the caretaker governor of Papua,” Johana A. Rumbiak,
Papua provincial spokesperson, confirmed in short message.
With
Syamsul’s appointment set to expire later this month, the next
gubernatorial election should come in September. However, there is a
controversy about whether candidate registration should be hosted by the
Papua election commission or legislative council, both of whom have
asked the Supreme Court to settle the dispute.