Emil exercises democracy with VP bid<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Landslide support for B.J. Habibie failed to
\npush former environment minister Emil Salim out of the race for
\nthe vice presidency yesterday.<\/p>\n
Emil, who has strong support from fellow academics, pro-
\ndemocracy activists and the public alike, will continue his bid
\nfor the post in an "exercise of democracy".<\/p>\n
His prime intention, he said, is not to clinch the chair, but
\nto set an example of how the principles of democracy should be
\nexercised and respected.<\/p>\n
Unlike the heavyweight candidates, who rely on backing from
\nthe factions in the People's Consultative Assembly, Emil is
\ntapping into support from outside the establishment through
\ncampaigning for clean governance and economic reform.<\/p>\n
Emil called a news conference only hours after Harmoko, leader
\nof the dominant Golkar functional group, stepped aside in the
\nvice presidential race, making way for his rival Habibie.<\/p>\n
"My candidacy is basically a moral movement," Emil told
\njournalists yesterday.<\/p>\n
At about the same time, the tiny Indonesian Democratic Party
\n(PDI) also -- predictably -- fielded Habibie as its sole
\ncandidate, following the Moslem oriented United Development Party
\n(PPP) which threw its weight behind the technology tsar, Monday.<\/p>\n
Emil, renowned for his integrity, has backing from figures in
\nmyriad religious, social and professional backgrounds calling
\nthemselves Gema Madani, or Echo of Civil Society.<\/p>\n
Over the past week, the group has collected 128 signatories of
\nsupport for Emil, among which are those of economist Sumitro
\nDjojohadikusumo, Moslem intellectual Nurcholish Madjid, Rahmi
\nHatta and Nelly Adam Malik, the wives of former vice presidents
\nMohammad Hatta and Adam Malik, consumer activist Zoemrotin K.S.,
\nwomen rights activist Saparinah Sadli, former envoy to the U.S.
\nArifin M. Siregar, economist Sadli, former OPEC secretary general
\nSubroto, rights activist Asmara Nababan and Golkar legislator
\nAlbert Hasibuan.<\/p>\n
At the top of his agenda are economic reforms aimed at
\nimproving Indonesia's competitiveness in the global market by
\neradicating corruption and monopolistic practices.<\/p>\n
On political reforms, Emil declined to give details, saying
\nonly that if economic reforms were consistently implemented,
\npolitical improvements would follow.<\/p>\n
He is well aware that his chances of being elected vice
\npresident are slim because each faction in the 1,000-strong
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly had already named their chosen
\ncandidates.<\/p>\n
"My point is to show how the ABC of democracy should be
\nimplemented. People should retain the freedom to express their
\nideas and participate in the decision-making process," he said.<\/p>\n
"I know the Assembly has its standard procedure in electing
\nthe new president and vice president, but people should be free
\nto contribute ideas."<\/p>\n
Emil said the current economic calamity occurred because the
\n(economic) fundamentals, which he helped to lay 30 years ago, had
\nnot been adjusted to the changing times.<\/p>\n
He warned that the government's plan to set up the Currency
\nBoard System (CBS) and to peg the rupiah to the U.S. dollar would
\nnot bring about the desired results unless it was supported with
\neconomic reforms.<\/p>\n
The system, he argued, would need huge foreign exchange
\nreserves and a steady inflow of foreign investments to succeed,
\nneither of which are available under the current situation.<\/p>\n
"The current crisis cannot be handled with a 'business as
\nusual' approach," he added.<\/p>\n
Emil said he would have no objection to stage what he called
\n"wrestling of ideas" with any figures wanting to test his agenda.
\n(pan)<\/p>",
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