Ginandjar Kartasasmita cautious on VP nomination<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister for National Development Planning
\nGinandjar Kartasasmita has given a cautious response to calls for
\nhim to be put forward as a vice presidential candidate by SOKSI,
\na labor organization affiliated to the dominant Golkar.<\/p>\n
"If anyone thinks I should be considered as vice president,
\nthat's an honor... If anyone thinks I deserve to be considered, I
\nam happy and honored. However, as I said once before, everyone of
\nus should be self aware, (we should not) be arrogant. This should
\nbe our guidance," said Ginandjar, who is also chairman of the
\nGolkar faction at the People's Consultative Assembly, on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
"We can feel happy, honored, moved, but we should also realize
\nour limitations. Know yourself, as Jakartans would say.<\/p>\n
"The position of vice president is an honored position in our
\nrepublic, because (the post) is second after the president," he
\nsaid after a meeting with SOKSI leaders led by chairman
\nSuhardiman.<\/p>\n
The meeting was called because the group wanted Ginandjar to
\ntell President Soeharto of its aspirations, including the news
\nthat it has named five people it would like to recommend as vice
\npresidential candidates.<\/p>\n
The five are Ginandjar, incumbent Try Sutrisno, House speaker
\nHarmoko, State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie
\nand Minister of Information R. Hartono.<\/p>\n
Despite recent health problems, President Soeharto looks set
\nto be reelected for a seventh consecutive term in March. Golkar
\nhas dismissed calls for a new presidential candidate and has
\nfirmly declared its support for Soeharto.<\/p>\n
The remaining question is who will be the second in charge,
\nbecause he or she would have to assume state leadership should
\nthe President become incapacitated.<\/p>\n
The five names supported by SOKSI have been widely circulating
\nas possible vice presidential candidates. Other names that have
\nbeen put forward include Golkar leader Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana
\nand Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung.<\/p>\n
Hardiyanti, President Soeharto's eldest daughter, has
\ndismissed calls for her to be nominated, saying she is not
\nqualified for the post.<\/p>\n
Also Saturday, SOKSI again announced that it had conferred the
\ntitle Father of Reform on Soeharto, and called on the People's
\nConsultative Assembly to reelect him for the 1998\/2003 period.<\/p>\n
Suhardiman said the 76-year-old President had successfully led
\nIndonesia to reforms in ideology, politics, economy, social,
\nculture and national defense.<\/p>\n
"We are not making (the title) up, we're being objective. The
\nNew Order means order in development and reform," Suhardiman
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
"Pak Harto was given the title Father of Development in
\n1993... now we bestow on him the title Father of Reform," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Ginandjar promised to deliver SOKSI's messages to the
\nPresident either in person or through Golkar, but encouraged the
\nSOKSI leaders to convey it to him themselves.<\/p>\n
However, he asked them to be patient for a while because the
\nPresident has not been receiving guests lately so that he can
\ngive all his attention to overcoming the ongoing economic crisis.
\n(09)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ginandjar-kartasasmita-cautious-on-vp-nomination-1447893297",
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