Rights activist gets top spot in Kosgoro<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The congress of Kosgoro, an influential
\norganization under the ruling political grouping, Golkar,
\nconcluded yesterday with a surprising twist: The elected chairman
\nhanded the organization's chairmanship over to an unanticipated
\ncontender.<\/p>\n
Outgoing chairman Soeprapto won the second and final round of
\nthe election, obtaining 20 votes. His rival, human rights
\ncampaigner Bambang W. Soeharto, who did not even make the list of
\npotential leaders during the earlier days of the congress, got
\nthe remaining 13 votes.<\/p>\n
Upon learning of his victory, Soeprapto stood up and declared
\nhe would hand over Kosgoro's 1995-2000 leadership to Bambang, his
\npartner during the previous chairmanship term.<\/p>\n
\"Suddenly, I realize how important it is to leave Kosgoro's
\nchairmanship to younger cadres,\" Soeprapto told reporters after
\nthe election was over.<\/p>\n
He denied speculation that he made the decision because of
\nexternal pressure. \"I used to be a freedom fighter. I don't
\nfear any threat or pressure,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The decision apparently caused dissatisfaction among congress
\nparticipants, most notably Agung Laksono, the incumbent Kosgoro
\nsecretary-general, previously thought to have good prospects of
\ngaining the chairmanship.<\/p>\n
\"I am disappointed with Soeprapto. He should not have done
\nthat,\" Agung said. \"He should have withdrawn from the election at
\nthe beginning.\"<\/p>\n
However, State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono
\nIsman, who is also a Kosgoro member and previously the strongest
\ncontender in the elections, supported Soeprapto's decision.<\/p>\n
He also dismissed speculation that Soeprapto's decision had
\nbeen \"engineered\" from outside.<\/p>\n
Generalizations<\/p>\n
\"I know Pak Prapto very well,\" Hayono said. \"He made the
\ndecision out of his good intention of giving the younger cadre
\nthe opportunity to lead Kosgoro.\"<\/p>\n
Hayono refused to comment about the unusual election
\nprocedures.<\/p>\n
\"Every organization has its own way and system. We cannot make
\ngeneralizations,\" he said. \"Kosgoro is different from the
\nNahdlatul Ulama (Moslem organization) or the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The second round of the election, presided over by chairman of
\nthe organizing committee Thomas Manurung, was delayed for four
\nhours. Participants were observed using the extra time for
\nlobbying.<\/p>\n
Both Soeprapto and Bambang were seen leaving in the same car
\nduring a break in the proceedings.<\/p>\n
Bambang, 52, entered the race on Tuesday after Hayono formally
\ndeclared his unwillingness to be nominated for the election.<\/p>\n
Bambang, who is also a member of the National Commission on
\nHuman Rights, has been a member of Kosgoro since his youth. He
\nwas chairman of Kosgoro's youth wing Generasi Muda Kosgoro before
\nhe being appointed one a Kosgoro deputy chairman in 1990.<\/p>\n
The six-day congress was closed last night with the
\norganization issuing statements about, among other things, the
\ncountry's political situation. (imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rights-activist-gets-top-spot-in-kosgoro-1447893297",
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