Sarwono urges MPR to name VP candidates<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Environment Sarwono
\nKusumaatmadja called on the five factions at the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR) yesterday to name their vice
\npresidential candidates, ending the political uncertainty.<\/p>\n
He said that establishing criteria was inadequate as it was
\nopen to various interpretations.<\/p>\n
\"All factions in the MPR should act quickly as they are now
\nracing with the market demand, which changes hourly,\" he told
\njournalists at his residence here yesterday. \"Every negative
\ninterpretation on the next vice president will bring our economy
\nto another low.\"<\/p>\n
Sarwono said he was obliged to air his views on the situation
\nbecause continued uncertainty may harm the greater interest of
\nthe public.<\/p>\n
\"Our people will not mind suffering as long as it is certain
\nin which direction the nation is heading,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Sarwono also indicated that multiple vice presidential
\ncandidates can be accepted by saying that voting should not be
\nconsidered a taboo.<\/p>\n
\"President Soeharto once told fellow cabinet minister Hayono
\nIsman that he did not mind if the MPR had to vote for the vice
\npresident,\" he said, referring to the State Minister of Youth
\nAffairs and Sports.<\/p>\n
He said that in 1988 Soeharto told a visiting Golkar
\ndelegation, in which he was Golkar's secretary-general, that he
\nwished to see the MPR factions name their own vice presidential
\ncandidates.<\/p>\n
In the past, it was Soeharto himself, aided by an
\nextraparliamentary group of advisors, who named the vice
\npresident.<\/p>\n
He said he was optimistic that Golkar would come forward with
\nthe best candidate for the vice presidency.<\/p>\n
\"I understand there are lots of capable Golkar cadres for the
\nvice presidency,\" he said. \"But we only need one name that will
\nbe consulted with the elected president.\"<\/p>\n
Sarwono's call on the People's Consultative Assembly to name
\ntheir vice presidential candidates echoed those of some people
\nwho said that naming a vice presidential candidate, especially by
\nthe dominant Golkar, would help end political uncertainty.<\/p>\n
Golkar legislator Muladi said naming the vice presidential
\ncandidates, the five factions -- Golkar, the United Development
\nParty, the Indonesian Democratic Party, the Armed Forces and the
\nRegional Representatives -- would help alleviate the currency
\nturmoil.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, Golkar and its allies, the Armed Forces and the
\nbureaucracy, put forward 29 criteria for the vice presidency,
\nrefusing to say outright who its candidate was, thereby leading
\nto even greater uncertainty. Speculation grew that Golkar was
\nreferring to State Minister of Research and Technology B.J.
\nHabibie after it was announced that the criteria for the next
\nvice president was that they should master science and
\ntechnology.<\/p>\n
Officials and some party executives dismissed the speculation,
\nsaying the criteria could point to a large number of people.<\/p>\n
Binding<\/p>\n
Some political observers said yesterday the criteria put
\nforward by Golkar was by no means binding anyone and they were
\nstill open to debate.<\/p>\n
Former minister of home affairs Rudini said the criteria was a
\ngood screening mechanism, but not final.<\/p>\n
\"Don't forget, the final words on a vice presidential
\ncandidate rest with the elected president,\" said Rudini who now
\nchairs an informal military think tank, the Institute for
\nStrategic Studies of Indonesia (LPSI).<\/p>\n
Muladi said the vice presidency remained open despite the
\ncriteria put forward by Golkar and its allies.<\/p>\n
\"Civilian or military candidates have an equal chance,\" said
\nMuladi, who is also rector of the Semarang-based Diponegoro
\nUniversity.<\/p>\n
Political observer Bachtiar Aly suggested the People's
\nConsultative Assembly and the strongest presidential candidate,
\nSoeharto, listen to the public's aspirations and the House of
\nRepresentatives.<\/p>\n
\"Open discussions on the vice presidency must be encouraged so
\npeople can contribute ideas to the Assembly and the elected
\npresident,\" said Bachtiar, also a Golkar member.<\/p>\n
Rudini said the vice presidency was even more important
\nbecause Soeharto, if reelected, would start his seventh
\nconsecutive term at the age of 77.<\/p>\n
\"The next vice president must have strong leadership skills
\nand must be a person who can be accepted by all elements of
\nsociety,\" he said. \"He should be able to win people's hearts.\"<\/p>\n
Separately, two political observers at Diponegoro University
\nsaid President Soeharto's decision to accept Golkar's
\nrenomination for the 1998\/2003 term was a suitable option.<\/p>\n
\"It's impossible for Pak Harto to resign and abandon his
\npeople who are struggling in the ongoing economic crisis,\" law
\nprofessor Soehardjo S.S. said.<\/p>\n
\"It's good to know that Pak Harto is willing to be renominated
\nfor presidency,\" said Susilo Utomo. \"He is still needed by the
\nnation because of his experience in handling past crises,
\nincluding economic difficulties.\" (aan\/amd\/imn\/har)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sarwono-urges-mpr-to-name-vp-candidates-1447893297",
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