Bountiful Granaries

ARIFIN Arpan, the regent of Tapin in South Kalimantan, limped out of his room, carrying several plastic bags containing medicine. He gave some of the medicine to Fajarudin Noor, a medical officer at the Tapin District General Hospital.

Fajar was used to being called to Arifin's home to check on his health. Three weeks ago, Arifin felt pain in his left leg and asked Fajar to visit. Despite the pain, the regent was determined to attend a scheduled event later that week. Arifin, who was endorsed by both the Golkar and National Awakening (PKB) parties, was to visit a mosque in Tapin for a routine Friday dialog with his constituents. The themes varied. "(We might discuss) health, agriculture, or the environment," he said.