R. Hartono tipped as next vice president<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Discourses on Indonesia's next vice presidency
\nresurfaced yesterday when Suhardiman, a political observer and
\none of President Soeharto's aides, said the second top position
\nwould go to someone with a military background.<\/p>\n
Suhardiman said there should not be any discussion on whether
\nthe next vice president would be a civilian or military man, but
\nthere was a great possibility that the post would go to someone
\nfrom the Armed Forces.<\/p>\n
"In this case, Minister of Information R. Hartono has a
\ngreater opportunity than the others," he said.<\/p>\n
Suhardiman earlier named several figures he believed could
\nbecome vice president. Two are civilians: State Minister of
\nResearch and Technology B.J. Habibie and State Minister of
\nSpecial Assignments\/Golkar chairman Harmoko.<\/p>\n
The other three names he mentioned have military backgrounds:
\nincumbent Vice President Try Sutrisno, R. Hartono, who is former
\narmy chief of staff, and State Minister of National Development
\nPlanning Ginandjar Kartasasmita.<\/p>\n
Suhardiman, however, said he believed Try Sutrisno's chance at
\nthe position was not as good as the others' as no other vice
\npresident has ever served a second term.<\/p>\n
Compared to Ginandjar, according to Suhardiman, Hartono had
\n"added values", namely the command posts he previously held in
\nthe military.<\/p>\n
Hartono was chief of the Brawijaya Regional Military Command,
\nwhich oversees East Java, in 1990 to 1993 before he was appointed
\ncommander of the Armed Forces Staff and Command School and
\ngovernor of the National Resilience Institute, both in 1993.<\/p>\n
He was later assigned Armed Forces chief of sociopolitical
\naffairs in 1994 before being appointed army chief of staff the
\nfollowing year.<\/p>\n
Hartono has declined to comment on the likelihood of his
\nchances of a vice presidency nomination.<\/p>\n
"It's not ethical to talk about the national leadership
\nsuccession now. Our constitution says it is to be held in a
\ngeneral session of the People's Consultative Assembly," he said
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
The 1,000-strong assembly will meet next March to elect a
\npresident and vice president and adopt the five-year Broad
\nGuidelines of State Policies.<\/p>\n
Suhardiman, however, acknowledged that Habibie and Ginandjar
\nwere likely candidates.<\/p>\n
"Both Habibie and Ginandjar acted as witnesses in the wedding
\nof President Soeharto's youngest son Hutomo Mandala Putra last
\nApril," he said, indicating their close relationship with the
\nPresident.<\/p>\n
Suhardiman, who is deputy chairman of the Supreme Advisory
\nCouncil, said he based his prediction on the current social and
\npolitical situation, especially in relation to Soeharto heading
\ntoward his 80s.<\/p>\n
He said he believed Soeharto, who turned 76 in June this year,
\nwould be reelected president next March.<\/p>\n
"Should anything 'permanent' happen to the President during
\nhis term of office, the next vice president would automatically
\nreplace him," he said<\/p>\n
In July last year, President Soeharto received medical
\ntreatment in Germany but was later given a clean bill of health
\nfor a man of his age.<\/p>\n
ICMI<\/p>\n
Hartono separately disclosed his intention yesterday to apply
\nfor membership to the influential Association of Indonesian
\nMoslem Intellectuals (ICMI), which is chaired by Habibie.<\/p>\n
"I have been interested in joining ICMI since its
\nestablishment in 1990," he said after installing officials of
\nstate-owned movie industry PFN and state-owned printing company
\nPNRI.<\/p>\n
ICMI was established in Malang, East Java, on Dec. 7, 1990,
\nwhen Hartono was commander of the Brawijaya Regional Military
\nCommand.<\/p>\n
Hartono said he had submitted his application to ICMI's
\nsecretary-general, Adi Sasono.<\/p>\n
"However, I need to ask for the President's approval before I
\njoin the association," he said.<\/p>\n
The association has gone from strength to strength since its
\ninception, with the inclusion of powerful figures as patrons.
\nBoth Soeharto and Try are patrons, albeit in a private capacity.<\/p>\n
At one stage, the association was deemed powerful enough to
\nhave played a role in the forming of the current cabinet as a
\nnumber of ministers are also ICMI members. (imn)<\/p>",
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