Lists of candidates submitted<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Golkar presented the names yesterday of its
\ncandidates who will run for next year's general election, a list
\nthat includes artists and ulemas; one which is usually more
\nclosely associated with the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI),
\nand the other with the United Development Party (PPP).<\/p>\n
PPP and PDI are also fielding a number of well-known ulemas in
\nanother indication of the growing importance of Moslem votes.<\/p>\n
In the lists, which were officially submitted to the General
\nElection Institute yesterday, there was also an unusually large
\nnumber of journalists fielded by all three contestants.<\/p>\n
The lists were not made public because they are subject to
\napproval by the authorities. The candidates will have to undergo
\nscreening, particularly to check if they had past links with the
\noutlawed Indonesian communist movement.<\/p>\n
But officials of Golkar, PPP and PDI were more than willing to
\ndiscuss some of their candidates when they were approached by
\njournalists after the ceremony to present the lists.<\/p>\n
Golkar, which is aiming for a victory with the biggest
\nlandslide possible, has recruited Rano Karno, actor of the highly
\npopular TV series Si Doel Anak Sekolah, and Rhoma Irama, the king
\nof Dangdut music. Their presence in the Golkar pack is expected
\nto further widen the group's appeal in the election, which is
\nslated for May.<\/p>\n
Golkar has also recruited Ali Yafie and Tuty Alawiyah, two
\nMoslem leaders with strong followings, and senior journalists
\nAnsel da Lopes from Kompas and Chris Kelana of RCTI.<\/p>\n
\"Besides well-known politicians and public figures, we are
\nalso fielding artists and journalists as candidates,\" Golkar
\nchairman Harmoko told reporters.<\/p>\n
\"Every group -- from ulemas, intellectuals, educators, youths,
\nwomen and professional people -- is represented in the list,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
PPP, traditionally the \"ulemas' party\", is also fielding some
\nwell-known ulemas, including Hasyim Latief, Latief Mochtar,
\nMaemun Zubaer, Abdul Razak and Dimyati. It has recruited some
\nintellectuals, such as Mochtar Aziz, Chausyah and Qomari Anwar.<\/p>\n
Two journalists in the PPP pack are Usyamah Hisyam of Media
\nIndonesia and Soelaiman Rasyid of Lampung Post.<\/p>\n
The PDI list was presented by Soerjadi, chairman of the party
\nelected at the Medan congress in June. His rival board, under
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri, was not present at the ceremony, sparing
\nthe election officials from potential embarrassment.<\/p>\n
Representatives from Megawati turned up later at the General
\nElection Institute when the ceremony was over, but the list they
\nbrought was rejected.<\/p>\n
Soerjadi, who disclosed that he only completed the list on
\nSunday night, said he tried to encompass every group and
\nprofession in selecting his field.<\/p>\n
The four journalists he recruited are reporters whose daily
\nbeat is the House of Representatives: Elman Saragih of Media
\nIndonesia, Burma Siahaan of Sinar Pagi, Primadji of Berita Yudha
\nand Sulistyo of Wawasan. Soerjadi's list also boasts three well-
\nknown ulemas: Fadloli Muhir, Farouk and Abdul Cholik Murod.<\/p>\n
Missing from Soerjadi's list are names of politicians closely
\nassociated with Megawati, including Kompas journalist Marcel
\nBeding, Taufik Kiemas, Guruh Soekarnoputri, Sabam Sirait, Aberson
\nMarle Sihaloho, Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno and Sukowaluyo.<\/p>\n
Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M., in his capacity as
\nchairman of the General Election Institute, underlined the
\nimportance of selecting candidates who understood the people's
\naspirations.<\/p>\n
\"Aspirations continue to develop, as evident in the continuing
\nchanges. Of course, we hope and endeavor that these changes are
\nnot revolutionary,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Golkar and PPP presented lists of 850, twice the number of
\nHouse of Representatives seats being contested at the election
\nand also the maximum number allowed by the authorities.<\/p>\n
PDI handed a list of 903, reflecting Soerjadi's expectation
\nthat some of these names would be vetted out by the Central
\nInspection Committee, which screens all candidates.<\/p>\n
Harmoko said all his candidates have undergone an internal
\ninvestigation. \"This is to make the committee's job easier.
\nHowever, if the committee or other relevant bodies wish to
\nreexamine them, who knows? There might be new findings. Then, the
\ndoor is always open,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Also present at the ceremony were government officials
\nassigned to the election institute, including Minister of Defense
\nand Security Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat, Armed Forces Chief Gen.
\nFeisal Tanjung, Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad, Minister of
\nTourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave and Minister of
\nHome Affairs Yogie SM.<\/p>\n
The screening begins today and will last until Oct. 31.
\n(mds\/emb)<\/p>\n
Rejection -- Page 2<\/p>\n
Conflict -- Page 3<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/lists-of-candidates-submitted-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }