Local academics oppose Soewardi's reelection<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): A group of local academics has rejected
\noutright the proposal to reelect Central Java Governor Soewardi,
\nwho was busy yesterday refuting allegations that he set up a team
\nand furnished it with Rp 18 billion (US$2.25 million) to ensure
\nhis reelection.<\/p>\n
The social and political scientists, all lecturers at state-
\nrun Diponegoro University, charged that Soewardi consistently
\nignored the aspirations of local people in many of his policies
\nduring his tenure from 1993-1998.<\/p>\n
The same opposition was voiced yesterday by the provincial
\nbranch of the Generation 1945 Council, an organization of former
\nindependence fighters. They said Central Java needed a new leader
\nwith strong leadership characteristics of carefulness,
\npersistence and wisdom.<\/p>\n
Soewardi's term is due to end in August, and it has been the
\ntradition of many governors to occupy the post for two five-year
\nterms.<\/p>\n
\"We call on the provincial legislative council to choose
\nanyone else but Soewardi,\" the academics said in a statement.<\/p>\n
They cited several of Soewardi's policies, including the
\nconstruction of a luxurious Rp 7 billion official residence,
\ndespite criticism from various quarters, which has not been of
\nmuch use.<\/p>\n
Soewardi was also criticized for his \"yellowization\" program,
\nin which all public facilities and even residential houses were
\npainted yellow last year, a move that was seen by many as tacit
\ncampaigning for the ruling Golkar, whose color is yellow.<\/p>\n
Soewardi has reiterated he was not seeking reelection, but
\nwould gladly take up the post again if the provincial population
\n-- through the legislative council -- wanted him.<\/p>\n
\"It's not true that I spent Rp 18 billion just so I could be
\nreelected for the 1998-2993 term,\" Soewardi was quoted by Antara
\nas saying yesterday. \"Where would I get the money? (If I had), it
\nwould be better if the money was used to improve people's
\nwelfare.<\/p>\n
\"The allegations were made by parties who dislike me or are
\nstanding politically against me and my policies,\" he said,
\nwithout elaborating.<\/p>\n
The news agency said Soewardi enjoyed the backing of
\nbusinesspeople, and that the team's task was to persuade the
\ncommunity to have the governor reelected.<\/p>\n
Allegations and counter-allegations marking gubernatorial
\nelections; before Soewardi, particular officials of North Sumatra
\nprovince were accused of greasing their candidate's way to the
\ntop.<\/p>\n
Among the reasons for the controversies that almost invariably
\nmark gubernatorial elections is the widely held perception that a
\ngovernor is virtually a \"king\" of the province, in a position
\nthat entails not only power but also leaves lucrative business
\nopportunities at his disposal.<\/p>\n
West Java and Aceh legislative councils have just reelected R.
\nNuriana and Syamsuddin Mahmud, while North Sumatra, East
\nKalimantan and East Nusa Tenggara have proposed several
\ncandidates to Minister of Home Affairs R. Hartono to be brought
\nto President Soeharto for approval.<\/p>\n
Five other provinces -- Central Java, East Java, Bali, West
\nNusa Tenggara and South Sumatra -- are already busy seeking
\nappropriate candidates as the current governors' terms expire in
\nAugust and September.<\/p>\n
Military<\/p>\n
Odds-on favorite candidates are those with an Armed Forces
\n(ABRI) background.<\/p>\n
Former chief of the Northern Sumatra Regional Military
\nCommand, Maj. Rizal Nurdin, is considered the top candidate for
\nNorth Sumatra governor to replace Lt. Gen. (ret) Radja Inal
\nSiregar next month after the ABRI, Golkar and Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party factions of the provincial council endorsed his
\nnomination.<\/p>\n
Besides Rizal, the provincial council has received the names
\nof several other high-ranking military officers, including Maj.
\nGen. Syamsir Siregar, former chief of ABRI's intelligence Agency,
\nMaj. Gen. ATS. Siagian and Maj. Gen. T. Pakpahan, to be nominated
\nas gubernatorial candidates.<\/p>\n
The Central Java provincial council has received the names of
\nsix candidates. They are Maj. Gen. Sudiyono PS, former chief of
\nthe Mental Development Center of the ABRI headquarters in
\nJakarta; Maj. Gen. Mardiyanto, an assistant to the chief of
\nABRI's Sociopolitical Affairs; Maj. Gen. Djoko Subroto, governor
\nof the Army Academy in Magelang; Maj. Gen. Setyana; Soetrisno
\nSuharto, Semarang mayor; Minister of Justice Muladi, and outgoing
\ngovernor Soewardi.<\/p>\n
Soewardi's term of office will end in August this year.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, at least six two-star generals, including incumbent
\ngovernor Basofi Sudirman, and two civilians have been named as
\npotential candidates for East Java.<\/p>\n
The generals are Imam Utomo, Harris Sudarno, Sutarto, Farid
\nZainuddin, Erie Sudewo and Basofi.<\/p>\n
Many have observed that Basofi will likely be reelected as
\nseveral projects of his are still pending, including the hosting
\nof the 19th National Sports Games in September 2000, of which he
\nis the chief organizer. (rms\/nur\/har\/21)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/local-academics-oppose-soewardis-reelection-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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