All eyes on number two<\/p>\n
It is almost a repeat of what happened five years ago. Now, a
\nyear before the March 1998 presidential election, the raging
\npublic debate is not on who will be the presidential nominates,
\nbut on who will be the candidates for the vice presidency.<\/p>\n
It is apparent that most people are resigned to the fact that
\nalmost certainly President Soeharto will be reelected for a sixth
\nterm of office next year.<\/p>\n
However, the President has not yet declared his willingness to
\nbe renominated and it seems that nobody is brave enough to think
\nof other names. In previous presidential elections, Soeharto only
\never announced his stance after the People's Consultative
\nAssembly (MPR) was in session. Since the presidential election
\nwould be an almost certain one-horse-race, the candidacy for the
\nvice president is a more interesting topic, albeit more safe, to
\ndiscuss.<\/p>\n
There are several names in the air, including B.J. Habibie,
\nGinandjar Kartasasmita, General R. Hartono, Harmoko and Try
\nSutrisno. Each have their own band of supporters who, for the
\npast few months, have openly or covertly campaigned for their
\ncandidate. Recalling past experiences, in which President
\nSoeharto outsmarted everybody by nominating someone unexpected,
\nlike the case of Umar Wirahadikusumah, some people have dug
\ndeeper by naming several possible dark horses for the number two
\nposition. Of course, this is all pure speculation.<\/p>\n
The latest to join the debate is Armed Forces Sociopolitical
\nAffairs Chief Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid who recently said that the
\nArmed Forces (ABRI) has not made any decision on presidential and
\nvice presidential candidates, and would do so only after the MPR
\nwas in session. He also reportedly said that ABRI's stance on the
\npresidential and vice presidential candidates would only be
\nannounced by Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung or himself.<\/p>\n
It is obvious that Syarwan Hamid wants to end the speculation
\non who will be ABRI's candidates for the top two positions, and
\nalso wants to prevent other ABRI officials from raising the issue
\nwhich could stir confusion. But it is likely that Syarwan Hamid
\nhas something else in mind. He does not want a repetition of the
\n1993 incident in which the chairman of the ABRI faction in the
\nMPR differed with Golkar (reportedly also without prior
\nconsultation with President Soeharto) and nominated Try Sutrisno
\nas ABRI's candidate for vice presidency.<\/p>\n
The chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) Ismail
\nHasan Metareum has also entered the debate. He recently said that
\nhe would consider standing for the vice president position, "if
\nthe PPP central board made such a decision".<\/p>\n
Knowing Ismail Hasan's character, one would tend to dismiss
\nhis candidacy as mere politicking on the eve of the upcoming May
\n29 election. One would think that Ismail, who is more gentle than
\nhis daring predecessor J. Naro who was "forced" to withdraw his
\nvice presidential candidacy in 1983, would never be bold enough
\nto take a stand against President Soeharto's will.<\/p>\n
One of the conditions of the vice presidential candidate is
\nthat "he or she possess the capability to cooperate with the
\nPresident". Therefore, it is greatly dependent on the President
\nto nominate someone he believes can cooperate with him. And since
\nPresident Soeharto himself has yet to declare his willingness to
\nbe renominated, and since he is known as a man who keeps his
\nmouth shut, it would be futile to guess the man or woman he wants
\nto be his future second in command.<\/p>\n
Still, the fact should not discourage debate on the vice
\npresidential candidates and the authorities should not stop it.
\nPeople are free to discuss, for example, the criteria for a 21st
\ncentury vice president. At least, this would give people a chance
\nto participate in healthy political debate. It might also shift
\npublic attention from a more "dangerous" issue, such as election
\nboycott.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/all-eyes-on-number-two-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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