Next vice president 'likely to be chosen from the cabinet'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The next vice president is likely to be chosen
\nfrom the present cabinet of President Soeharto, senior politician
\nSudomo said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Sudomo, a close confidante of Soeharto and currently chairman
\nof the Supreme Advisory Council, dismissed the chances of the
\nPresident's eldest daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana for the
\nnumber two position when the post is determined next March.<\/p>\n
"I don't think that's possible," he said after meeting with
\nthe President at Bina Graha in his official capacity.<\/p>\n
"I believe it will be someone from the cabinet. At least, the
\ncandidate has a known record. And it's a tradition," he said,
\nrecalling every vice president since 1973.<\/p>\n
Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX (vice president from 1973 to
\n1978) was economics minister, Adam Malik (1978-1983) was foreign
\nminister, Umar Wirahadikusumah (1983-1988) was chairman of the
\nSupreme Audit Agency, Sudharmono (1988-1993) was minister\/state
\nsecretary, and Try Sutrisno, vice president since 1993, was Armed
\nForces chief.<\/p>\n
The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) is scheduled to meet
\nin March 1998 to elect the president and vice president. With
\nSoeharto certain to be elected for his seventh consecutive five
\nyear term, speculations have focused on the number two position.<\/p>\n
Constitutionally the MPR has a free hand in electing the vice
\npresident. But traditionally the MPR has consulted the elected
\npresident, in this case Soeharto, on the choice of vice
\npresident, before formally making its nominations.<\/p>\n
"I'm willing to put a wager that the candidate will be someone
\nfrom the current cabinet," Sudomo said. "As a minister, he has
\nalready proven himself and is quite known to the public."<\/p>\n
Among the front runners often cited for the job are State
\nMinister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie, Minister of
\nInformation Harmoko and Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono.<\/p>\n
The name of Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, a successful
\nbusinesswoman and senior Golkar politician, has also been
\nmentioned recently. Some also speculated on Try keeping the post
\nwhile others said Sudharmono could make a come back.<\/p>\n
Sudomo said he was sure Soeharto would be reelected next
\nMarch.<\/p>\n
"The key to the success of the current government is in its
\nleadership, in this case President Soeharto.<\/p>\n
"I'm not trying to start a personality cult, but he has
\nqualities necessary for national development," Sudomo said.<\/p>\n
These qualities include his vision, and, given his military
\nbackground, his ability to deal with crises. He is a good overall
\nmanager, Sudomo said. (emb)<\/p>",
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