PKP to nominate Edi for president<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): The newly established Justice and Unity Party
\n(PKP), hinted on Wednesday it would nominate chairman Gen. (ret)
\nEdi Sudradjat, who was former minister of defense and former
\nArmed Forces commander, as its presidential candidate.<\/p>\n
In a meeting with party supporters, when Chairman of PKP West
\nJava chapter Tjetje Hidayat Padmadinata asked whether Edi or
\nGolkar chairman Akbar Tandjung would be the best candidate,
\nhundreds yelled in response: \"Edi!\".<\/p>\n
The Justice and Unity Party was established by Golkar
\ndissenters, including Edi and former state minister of sports and
\nyouth affairs Hayono Isman.<\/p>\n
Accompanied by Sarwono Kusumaatmadja -- a former Golkar
\nsecretary-general and minister -- Edi attended the inauguration
\nof the party's West Java chapter and its 26 regency branches on
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
Tjetje later told journalists the party would formally name
\nits candidate only after the June 7 general election.<\/p>\n
Edi said he was ready to contest the presidential election in
\nNovember. \"We have a journey ahead of us. We'll contest (the
\nelection) first; its outcome will determine (our next step). If
\nnominated, of course one has to accept,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The future leader must be trustworthy, Edi added.<\/p>\n
Besides Edi, incumbent President B.J. Habibie, ABRI Commander
\nGen. Wiranto, popular opposition figures Amien Rais, Abdurrahman
\n\"Gus Dur\" Wahid and Megawati Soekarnoputri are the country's hot
\npresidential nominees.<\/p>\n
The impending nomination of Habibie, however, has been the
\nmost controversial selection.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, new support for Habibie came from South
\nSulawesi's capital of Ujungpandang, the President's hometown.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that the Golkar-affiliated Youth Renewal
\nGeneration of Indonesia (AMPI) organization had endorsed the
\nnomination of Habibie for president with Wiranto for the deputy
\nposition.<\/p>\n
According to AMPI local chairman Anas Genda, both figures had
\n\"proven abilities and compatibility\".<\/p>\n
In contrast, deputy chairman Said Khusairi of the Muslim
\nAwakening Party, criticized Golkar's choice because \"everyone
\nknows that (Habibie) is a protg of former president Soeharto\".<\/p>\n
\"Can he become a true reformist? It would be wise if Habibie
\nremains a transitional figure before the nation's free and fair
\nelection,\" Said added. (43)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pkp-to-nominate-edi-for-president-1447893297",
"image": ""
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