Govt asked not to overreact on VP talks<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): House Speaker Wahono asked the government
\nyesterday not to overreact to the increasingly open discussion on
\nthe country's future leadership.<\/p>\n
After swearing in six new members of the People's Consultative
\nAssembly, Wahono said government officials should handle all
\naspirations of the public with care, rather than just labeling
\nthem as opposition.<\/p>\n
\"An advanced nation is a big-hearted one, willing to accept
\ncriticism or strong reactions,\" Wahono said.<\/p>\n
\"Hence, there should be space for the public to debate the
\ncountry's future leadership... We can expect brilliant thoughts
\nto arise from discourse, and this will in turn benefit our
\npresent and future life,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Wahono was commenting on growing discussion on who will be
\nIndonesia's next vice president. Several names have emerged,
\nmainly cabinet ministers and politicians.<\/p>\n
Siti Hardiyanti Indra Rukmana, President Soeharto's eldest
\ndaughter, is among the recent names put forward.<\/p>\n
Since J. Kristadi of the Centre for Strategic and
\nInternational Studies recently called her a deserving candidate,
\nHardiyanti has received great support. She is now deputy
\nchairwoman of the dominant Golkar.<\/p>\n
Heavyweight nominees include State Minister of Research and
\nTechnology B.J. Habibie and Golkar chairman Harmoko.<\/p>\n
The Chairman of the United Development Party (PPP), Ismail
\nHasan Metareum, has put his own name forward, but is an outsider.
\nIsmail, who was later nominated by the PPP's Jakarta chapter, has
\nsince backed off.<\/p>\n
Incumbent President Soeharto is likely to be unchallenged for
\nanother five-year term.<\/p>\n
The 1,000-strong assembly will convene in March next year to
\ndeliberate the Broad Guidelines of State Policy and elect a
\npresident, who will appoint a vice president.<\/p>\n
Wahono said there was nothing wrong with the public supporting
\nvice presidential candidates, adding that it showed greater
\npolitical participation.<\/p>\n
\"Such an attitude is part of the dynamic Pancasila democracy
\nwhich guarantees openness without cause for suspicion,\" Wahono
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He said the political climate was hotting up, thanks to the
\npublic's growing political awareness before the May 29 general
\nelection.<\/p>\n
\"The more educated people are, the stauncher are their demands
\nfor improved political rights and democracy,\" Wahono said.<\/p>\n
The recent series of riots that rocked the country had
\nresulted from the heating political climate, he said. \"But the
\nsituation remains under the control of security authorities.\"<\/p>\n
The legislators inducted yesterday were Jakarta military
\ncommander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso, East Java Police Chief Maj. Gen.
\nSoemarsono, East Timor military commander Col. Mahidin Simbolon,
\nCol. Tonny Rompis, Col. Bambang A.S. and Brig Gen. (ret) Bandjela
\nPaliudju.<\/p>\n
They replaced Lt. Gen. Wiranto, Maj. Gen. Roesmanhadi, Col.
\nKiki Syahnakri, Col. Eliza Hehamahua, Abdul Azis Lamadjido and
\nBrig. Gen. Haryono respectively.<\/p>\n
During their short service, which will end on Sept. 30, the
\nnew legislators will represent their own provinces.<\/p>\n
The assembly comprises 500 members of the House of
\nRepresentatives, who are mostly elected in general elections, and
\n500 people who are chosen by the President to represent groups
\nand regions. (amd)<\/p>\n
Tutut -- Page 2<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-asked-not-to-overreact-on-vp-talks-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }