Soeharto accepts his renomination<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto called on the nation
\nyesterday to stand behind the economic recovery programs now
\nunderway, in exchange for his acceptance to be renominated to his
\nseventh consecutive term in office.<\/p>\n
Soeharto told chief of the Golkar faction in the People's
\nConsultative Assembly Ginandjar Kartasasmita that full support
\nfrom the public and all sociopolitical organizations was all that
\nhe needed to lead the country out of the economic doldrums.<\/p>\n
"We are facing an economic crisis and monetary turbulence,
\nlet's cope with them together. With support from all of the
\npeople and sociopolitical forces, Insya Allah (God willing)
\nIndonesia can solve the difficulties," Soeharto was quoted by
\nGinandjar as saying.<\/p>\n
Ginandjar -- along with fellow Golkar executives R. Hartono,
\nAkbar Tanjung, Haryanto Dhanutirto and Ary Mardjono -- met
\nSoeharto at the President's residence on Jl. Cendana, Central
\nJakarta, to ask him if he was willing to be renominated by the
\nruling grouping.<\/p>\n
The other four factions -- the Armed Forces, United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP), Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and
\nregional representatives-- also formally asked the 77-year-old
\nincumbent President to stand again.<\/p>\n
Ginandjar also said Soeharto promised to honor people's
\nconfidence in him by fighting the crisis out.<\/p>\n
Yesterday's meetings were held in line with the procedures for
\na presidential nomination.<\/p>\n
The five delegations met Soeharto in the following order: the
\nArmed Forces, Golkar, PDI, PPP and the regional representatives.
\nA media briefing followed each meeting.<\/p>\n
Later yesterday, the five factions presented to the Assembly a
\nnumber of supporting documents for Soeharto's candidacy,
\nincluding police testimony of the candidate's good conduct, and a
\ncollection of signatures of Assembly members who agree to
\nnominate him.<\/p>\n
Similar documents were also prepared for the nomination of
\noutgoing State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie
\nfor the vice presidency.<\/p>\n
Old<\/p>\n
Leader of the PPP faction in the Assembly Jusuf Syakir said
\nSoeharto had spoken at length about the country's monetary crisis
\nwith the five delegates of the Moslem-based party.<\/p>\n
"He (Soeharto) is prepared to be renominated, although he
\nadmitted that the country is facing its toughest challenges ever,
\nparticularly due to the prevailing economic crisis," Jusuf said.<\/p>\n
The PPP delegation also comprised Sjaiful Anwar Hossein, Zein
\nBadjeber, Alihardi Kiaidemak and Zarkasih Nur.<\/p>\n
Jusuf said that a prayer led by Zarkasih concluded the
\nmeeting.<\/p>\n
In his meeting with the Armed Forces delegates led by Lt. Gen.
\nYunus Yosfiah, Soeharto said he would accept his renomination if
\nit was the people's will.<\/p>\n
"He told us he was already 77 years old, older than Prophet
\nMuhammad (when he died at 63 years of age in 632 AD\/11 Hijr), but
\nwith a fighting spirit and adherence toward Indonesian soldiers'
\noath, he was prepared to devote his soul, not to mention
\npossessions, to the country," Yunus said.<\/p>\n
Yunus, the outgoing Armed Forces chief of sociopolitical
\naffairs, was accompanied by Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,
\nMaj. Gen. Imam Utomo, Maj. Gen. I Ketut Astawa, Commodore Ishak
\nLatuconsina and Commodore Sudirman.<\/p>\n
Chairman of PDI faction at the Assembly Buttu Hutapea said
\nSoeharto thanked and warmly welcomed the faction's aspirations.
\nFatimah Achmad, Ismunandar, Clara L.M. Sitompul and Yahya Theo
\naccompanied Buttu during the 22-minute meeting with Soeharto.<\/p>\n
"We are in need of tough national leadership, and the only
\nperson who is worthy is President Soeharto," Buttu told the media
\nbriefing.<\/p>\n
The regional representatives faction leader, Hasan Basri
\nDurin, said that as a fighter Soeharto would be ready to carry
\nout his future duties, no matter how tough they may be, if the
\nAssembly elected him.<\/p>\n
The faction turned up with the largest team comprising eight
\nmembers. They were Hasan, H.M. Ardans, Sutiyoso, Maj. Gen. Agum
\nGumelar, Alip Pandoyo, Abdul Nurhaman, Alhusniduki Hamim and
\nJusuf Kalla. The latter came a little late. (prb\/amd)<\/p>",
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