Party defends Tutut's candidacy<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
In response to earlier protests that Siti Hardiyanti "Tutut"
\nRukmana's presidential nomination was solely based on the desire
\nto uphold New Order values, Chairman of the Concern for the
\nNation Functional Party (PKPB) R. Hartono claimed that her
\ncandidacy reflected the will of the people.<\/p>\n
"There is no connection with the Cendana clique, no pressure
\nand no directions from them. (Former president) Soeharto can do
\nnothing and has difficulties to with communication," Antara
\nquoted Hartono as saying on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Tutut is the daughter of Soeharto and the Cendana clique
\nrefers to the relatives of the Soeharto clan, which is based at
\nJl. Cendana in Menteng.<\/p>\n
He said the nomination by PKPB of Tutut was based on the
\npeople's wishes and she was ready to be nominated simply because
\nshe wanted to contribute something to the nation.<\/p>\n
He said previously that Tutut's nomination was on the explicit
\ninstructions of Soeharto. He also hit back at critics, calling
\nthem "anti-Pancasila" for urging people not to cast their votes
\nfor parties maintaining New Order's values<\/p>\n
Pancasila is the 5-point state ideology embraced by Soeharto
\nand the New Order for 32 years.<\/p>\n
Hartono was known to be quite loyal to Soeharto during the
\nlatter's tenure and was quite close with Tutut when he was the
\nArmy's chief of staff in 1997.<\/p>\n
Hartono however said that Tutut, Soeharto's eldest daughter,
\nhas yet to decide whether to accept the nomination or not.<\/p>\n
He said he hoped his party would be one of the top-five after
\nthe legislative election on April 5.<\/p>\n
"PKPB is ready to bargain with other parties to make a
\ncoalition in nominating a presidential candidate," he added.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/party-defends-tututs-candidacy-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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