'KNPI free to elect its chairman'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government has promised to keep its hands
\noff the chairmanship election of the Indonesian National Youth
\nCommittee (KNPI), a well-connected umbrella organization of youth
\ngroups.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto told Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
\nHayono Isman yesterday that KNPI, currently holding their eighth
\ncongress, were free to elect their own chairman, and the
\ngovernment had no intention of interfering.<\/p>\n
\"Soeharto said the chairman should be elected by congress
\nparticipants,\" said Hayono.<\/p>\n
Soeharto also suggested the committee ensure there is a
\ndemocratic election process, said Hayono.<\/p>\n
\"If possible the election should be held by discussion. If
\nthey fail to reach a consensus, they should vote,\" Soeharto said.<\/p>\n
The third day of the congress began yesterday with candidates
\nand their supporters jockeying for the leadership of the
\norganization which has been criticized for its obvious leaning
\ntoward the dominant Golkar.<\/p>\n
So far, eight names of candidates have been registered.<\/p>\n
Candidates are Joko Purwongemboro of the Panca Marga Youth
\nOrganization, Syaiful Anwar of the Indonesian Islamic Youths,
\nKaharuddin Syah of the Pemuda Pancasila Youth Organization, and
\nMujib Rachmat of the Ansor Islamic Youth Movement.<\/p>\n
Adhyaksa of the Jakarta chapter of KNPI, Ramli H.M. Yusuf of
\nthe committee's outgoing central board, Budianto of the Central
\nJava chapter and Gatot Sugito of the East Java chapter of KNPI
\nare also contending.<\/p>\n
Hayono said he was surprised the young activists were
\ndependent on the government's direction in choosing a chairman. A
\nnumber of participants had visited him, asking for \"guidance\".<\/p>\n
\"Some have asked for names,\" Hayono said.<\/p>\n
Hayono's younger brother, Maulana Isman, was considered a
\npossible contender in the chairmanship race. Hayono said he would
\nsupport Maulana as a brother, not as a minister.<\/p>\n
\"As a state minister of youth affairs and sports, I will
\nsupport all the candidates,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in the congress venue at the Haj Dormitory in
\nPondok Gede, East Jakarta, the competitive atmosphere
\nintensified. Candidates and their supporters were seen soliciting
\nsupport among participants.<\/p>\n
Representatives of KNPI chapters from the 27 provinces have
\nagreed to support only one person for the post in the election.<\/p>\n
ABRI<\/p>\n
Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung yesterday
\nindicated where his support lay. He declined to name names, but
\nsaid he would prefer candidates from two groups with close links
\nto ABRI, the Communication Forum of Indonesian Ex-Servicemen's
\nChildren (FKPPI) and the Panca Marga Youth Organization.<\/p>\n
\"The great family of ABRI has candidates from the two
\norganizations,\" Feisal said in response to questioning.<\/p>\n
Reactions to Feisal's statement varied.<\/p>\n
A. Bhaskara of the Nationalist Student Movement (GMNI) said
\nFeisal's preference was tantamount to intervention. \"Feisal's
\nstatement represented a setback to democratization,\" he told in a
\npress conference.<\/p>\n
Bhaskara was accompanied by chairman of the Union of
\nIndonesian Islamic Students (PMII) Abubakar Refra and PMII
\nsecretary-general M. Rusdin, and Juno Lukito of the Christian
\nStudent Movement (GMKI).<\/p>\n
The GMNI, the PMII and the GMKI are among the outspoken
\nCipayung group of major youth organizations, who are still
\nwilling to participate in the KNPI congress.<\/p>\n
The Union of Catholic Students (PMKRI), has withdrawn from the
\ncongress and the powerful Moslem Students Association (HMI) was
\nnot represented at the press conference.<\/p>\n
\"Feisal's statement might influence candidates from other
\ngroups to withdraw from the race,\" Pircus Nurin, also of GMNI,
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Bhaskara said the Cipayung group would walk out of the
\ncongress if participants acted as if Feisal's statement was an
\n\"obligation\" they must meet.<\/p>\n
Incumbent chairman Tubagus Haryono said Feisal's statement was
\nmore of a spontaneous response than an effort to meddle.<\/p>\n
\"FKPPI and PPM are KNPI members. They have the right to
\nnominate their candidates,\" said Tubagus who said he would not
\nseek re-election. (imn)<\/p>",
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