Saefuddin reiterates presidential ambitions<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Food and Horticulture A.M.
\nSaefuddin reiterated his ambition on Wednesday to become the
\ncountry's next president and made light of the abilities of
\npossible rival Megawati Soekarnoputri of the splintered
\nIndonesian Democratic Party (PDI).<\/p>\n
Saefuddin, representing the United Development Party (PPP) in
\nthe Cabinet, expressed confidence that he would be able to gain
\nenough support during his campaign. He believed that even
\nPresident B.J. Habibie himself would support him.<\/p>\n
\"I am ready. It is not a problem if I win or lose,\" the
\nminister said before attending a monthly Cabinet meeting on
\neconomic affairs at the Bina Graha presidential office.<\/p>\n
Saefuddin made it clear that he would fight to be elected PPP
\nchairman to pave the way for a presidential bid.<\/p>\n
If elected PPP chairman, he said he would prefer to form a
\ncoalition with Habibie rather than Golkar.<\/p>\n
He cited several major agendas he would focus on should he
\nbecome the country's leader, including the promotion of small
\nbusinesses, upholding human rights and the revision of Armed
\nForces' (ABRI) roles.<\/p>\n
\"Does Megawati have the guts to revamp ABRI's role?\" he asked
\njournalists.<\/p>\n
He challenged other presidential aspirants to public debates
\nusing not only the Indonesian language but also other foreign
\nlanguages.<\/p>\n
\"The next president must be a global champion,\" he said,
\nadding that he was able to communicate fluently in English and
\nGerman.<\/p>\n
Saefuddin, known as a humorous professor of agriculture, said
\nGolkar would not be able to win enough votes in next year's
\nelection because its image had been totally tarnished.<\/p>\n
\"Habibie is not identical with Golkar. Habibie is not a member
\nof its executive board. His position is only as a (Golkar)
\nmember,\" he said when explaining why he would choose the
\nPresident as a possible partner.<\/p>\n
Saefuddin has made the challenge to Megawati and the other
\nnotable aspirant, National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Amien
\nRais, earlier this week. No response has emerged from either of
\nthe two figures so far.<\/p>\n
Amien himself has recently delivered the same invitation to a
\npublic debate to Megawati. (prb)<\/p>",
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