Mayor of Surabaya, Risma Tri Rismaharini officially serves as President of the United Cities and Local Government -UCLG Asia Pacific (Aspac) for 2018-2020 periods. Secretary General of Aspac, Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi said that Mayor Risma was elected by acclamation at the congress on the sidelines of the UCLG Aspac meeting at Dyandra Convention Hall in Surabaya, East Java on Friday (9/14/2018). According to Bernadia, all UCLG Aspac members chose Mayor Risma because there was only one candidate. The members proposed Mayor Risma to become president of UCLG-Aspac and hoped to bring about changes. Bernadia also explained that all members agreed because Risma's leadership achievement in building the city of Surabaya could be said to be successful and positive news is also heard throughout the world.
"Because many have already knows the performance of Madam Risma from the city of Surabaya which used to be dirty, hot, but it has become clean, and green. Surabaya has also received many awards; it has become a mystery. So, Madam Risma is famous not only in Surabaya, in Indonesia, but also abroad," said Bernadia
Meanwhile, Mayor Risma admitted that she never expected to be elected as President of the UCLG. Because, previously, Mayor Risma claimed that she had never campaigned or asked to become the president. (KBRN/Benny/Trans by Rhm)