Emil supporters admits nomination bid defeat<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Gema Madani, a loose association of well-known
\nscholars and non-governmental organization activists seeking to
\nintroduce political reform by proposing an alternative vice
\npresidential candidate, admitted defeat yesterday.<\/p>\n
The group, whose name means the Echo of Civil Society,
\ncampaigned to have senior economist and former cabinet minister
\nEmil Salim compete with outgoing State Minister of Research and
\nTechnology B.J. Habibie.<\/p>\n
All the five factions in the People's Consultative Assembly,
\nhowever, have closed their doors on Emil as they have named
\nHabibie as their sole candidate.<\/p>\n
This has blocked Emil's chances of being nominated, according
\nto Nafsiah Mboi, a former legislator and doctor who is involved
\nin Emil's campaign.<\/p>\n
She told The Jakarta Post yesterday that because the 1945
\nConstitution stated that only the Assembly's factions could
\nnominate presidential and vice presidential candidates, it was
\nclear that it was now impossible for the activists to press
\nforward with their campaign for Emil.<\/p>\n
\"The explanation is that simple,\" Nafsiah said about why the
\ncampaign that has generated much publicity and invited both
\nsupport and criticism, suddenly lost steam after the factions'
\nchose Habibie.<\/p>\n
Gema Madani claims they have collected more than 10,000
\nsignatures supporting Emil's nomination.<\/p>\n
\"Even now more and more signatures are coming to our office,\"
\nNafsiah said.<\/p>\n
She said the continuing support showed there were always
\nalternative leaders, who were clean, capable and supported by
\nmany people.<\/p>\n
The supporters of Emil's nomination are reported to come from
\nmyriad socioeconomic, political and educational backgrounds and
\nrange from housewives to Emil's former cabinet colleagues.<\/p>\n
\"If we don't succeed this time, we still have another chance
\nin the 2003\/2008 General Session,\" Nafsiah said. \"But at least
\nthis gives us a lesson that if we want to do it next time, we
\nshould do it much earlier so there will be enough time to
\nprepare.\"<\/p>\n
She conceded that the campaign for Emil got underway without
\nmuch preparation.<\/p>\n
Gema Madani activist, Ina Hadad, said the group would hold a
\npress conference tomorrow to explain matters regarding Emil's
\nnomination.<\/p>\n
Earlier, activist Saparinah Sadli had said simply \"that's it\"
\nwhen asked for comment after the Assembly factions closed their
\ndoors on the group. (swa)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/emil-supporters-admits-nomination-bid-defeat-1447893297",
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