Selection system for VP urged<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Three political figures called yesterday for the
\nintroduction of a formal system for constitutionally selecting
\nthe vice president.<\/p>\n
Former home affairs minister Rudini suggested that \"candidates
\nshould be nominated by the people through the bottom level of the
\nregional legislative councils.\"<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security
\nSoesilo Soedarman suggested that nominations be made during the
\ngeneral assembly of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in
\nMarch next year.<\/p>\n
State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie also
\nsupported the idea of using the MPR to select candidates.<\/p>\n
Rudini, who is also chairman of the Institute for Strategic
\nStudies of Indonesia, an informal military think-tank, said it
\nwas logical for analysts to focus their attention on who the next
\nvice president might be.<\/p>\n
\"People are free to express their opinions. Yet, their inputs
\nshould be channeled through the existing factions in the MPR,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The five-yearly national leadership election is still one year
\naway, yet people are already busy promoting candidates for the
\npresidential and vice-presidential races.<\/p>\n
The 1,000-strong MPR will be sworn in in October. Its members
\nwill meet in March next year to elect the president and vice
\npresident and establish the five-yearly state guidelines.<\/p>\n
Rudini saluted the United Development Party (PPP) for
\nimplementing the bottom-up nomination principle .<\/p>\n
PPP chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum said Wednesday that he
\nwould consider joining the vice-presidential race if the PPP
\ncentral board made such a decision.<\/p>\n
\"The PPP central board will make a decision after the PPP
\nbranches and chapters have submitted all their opinions,\" Ismail
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Rudini also saluted Golkar for forwarding criteria for the
\nnational leadership rather than mentioning the names of their
\ncandidates.<\/p>\n
\"We should become accustomed to establishing criteria rather
\nthan disputing names,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Debate over the presidential nominations has been implicitly
\nsettled as support for Soeharto's renomination is becoming more
\nand more widespread.<\/p>\n
One of the most recent displays was announced last week when
\nthe Sulawesi Community for Harmony said it would ask the People's
\nConsultative Assembly to reelect the 75-year old President.<\/p>\n
In line with Rudini, Soesilo said individuals and groups were
\nfree to mention names of possible vice-presidential candidates.<\/p>\n
\"Everybody may suggest his or her own candidate. This is a
\ndemocratic country.<\/p>\n
\"It is also good for the people's political education.\"<\/p>\n
Soesilo declined to comment on certain candidates, who have
\nbeen widely described as strong contenders for the vice-
\npresidency.<\/p>\n
These include State Minister of Research and Technology B.J.
\nHabibie, State Minister of National Development Planning
\nGinandjar Kartasasmita, Minister\/State Secretary Moerdiono and
\nArmy Chief of Staff Gen. Hartono.<\/p>\n
Speaking about the criteria for the vice-presidency, Soesilo
\nsaid a candidate had to be able to cooperate with and complement
\nthe elected president.<\/p>\n
Asked about his preference among the suggested candidates,
\nSoesilo said the most important thing was the candidates'
\ncapability and acceptability among the people.<\/p>\n
\"It does not matter whether the candidates are young or old,
\nand whether they are civilians or members of the Armed Forces,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Habibie said yesterday that all debate on the vice
\npresidential candidates should be confined to the MPR forum.<\/p>\n
\"Discussion of the presidency and vice-presidency should be
\ndiscussed in the formal MPR general assembly next year,\" he said
\nafter installing five Agency for the Assessment and Application
\nof Technology officials yesterday.<\/p>\n
In line with Soesilo, Habibie said the vice president should
\nbe able to cooperate with the elected president. (imn)<\/p>\n
Editorial -- Page 4<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/selection-system-for-vp-urged-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }