Sultan in political sporlight<\/p>\n
Ridlo Aryanto, Contributor, Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X received a special gift when he
\ncelebrated the 14th anniversary of his ascension to the throne on
\nOct. 7.<\/p>\n
The big surprise for Ngarsa Dalem, the honorific title that
\nthe residents of Yogyakarta use to address him, was the results
\nof a poll conducted by the Center for Political Studies -- Sugeng
\nSarjadi Syndicates Jakarta -- which was released on Oct. 9.<\/p>\n
The poll, on the search for the most suitable president in
\n2004, showed that the sultan of Yogyakarta, who is also the
\ngovernor of the special province of Yogyakarta, topped the list
\nof the 15 most favorite figures from political parties and
\nindependent public figures.<\/p>\n
The poll was conducted between Sept. 11 and Sept. 17 of this
\nyear with questions put to 9,900 respondents in 14 major cities
\nthroughout Indonesia who were aged between 17 years and 25 years.<\/p>\n
The respondents were interviewed on the phone. They were given
\n14 names of figures and asked to rate them according to seven
\ncategories, including intelligence, vision, governing capability,
\nauthority, honesty, morality and the potential of being involved
\nin corruption, collusion and nepotism.<\/p>\n
The 14 figures were divided into two sections: party
\nrepresentatives and nonpartisans. From the political parties, the
\nalternatives were Megawati Soekarnoputri, Hamzah Haz, Amien Rais,
\nYusril Ihza Mahendra, Jusuf Kalla and Ryaas Rasyid. Nonpartisans
\nincluded the sultan, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Wiranto,
\nNurcholish Madjid, Syafii Maarif, Salahudin Wahid, Hasyim Muzadi
\nand Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana.<\/p>\n
The sultan, who is the former chief of Golkar's Yogyakarta
\nchapter, came in with the highest total at 12.65 percent, and
\nscored higher than Nurcholis Madjid who had a result of 11.82
\npercent, and even further ahead than Megawati, who trailed at
\n8.52 percent.<\/p>\n
Was the sultan pleased with the poll results? \"It's just a
\npoll. I don't think I should make any comments on it. If the poll
\nwas conducted by another institution or another person, the
\nresults could have been different. To be honest, commenting on
\nthis poll would do me more harm than good,\" said Hamengku Buwono
\nX, born Herjuno Darpito on March 6, 1946.<\/p>\n
Why is that?<\/p>\n
\"Well, everything is not fixed yet as it depends on the
\nleaders of the political parties that win the next general
\nelection. We have to wait until 2004. Meanwhile, politics keeps
\nchanging. I'm sure you know that,\" said the sultan.<\/p>\n
It seems that Hamengku Buwono X, the eldest child of Hamengku
\nBuwono IX and Hastungkoro, his consort, has learned a lesson from
\nthe past.<\/p>\n
He recalled the political events evolving in the past general
\nsession of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). Very close
\nto the 1999 election, his name was frequently referred to by
\nGolkar as a possible presidential candidate to replace Habibie.
\nHe also enjoyed public support. Thousands of Yogyakartans even
\nheld a grand rally in the northern square of the palace to
\nexpress their support.<\/p>\n
However, political reality took its own course. At the then
\ngeneral assembly of the MPR, Habibie was forced to step down
\nbecause his accountability report was rejected. Golkar's stand on
\nthe presidential candidacy was split and Abdurrahman Wahid became
\nthe new president.<\/p>\n
The sultan has since been forgotten in the national political
\narena.<\/p>\n
However, he reentered the spotlight recently following the
\ndemand that Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung step down from his
\nposition as House speaker, after he was convicted of corruption
\ncharges.<\/p>\n
Many hope that the sultan will step into Tandjung's shoes.<\/p>\n
Is he interested in replacing Akbar? \"Well, I am aware that
\nthere has never been any formal talk about this. I've also never
\ntalked to them about this. I'm not a member of the party anymore,
\nam I?\" he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
One thing is clear, though. He commanded the respect of many
\nfor his cancellation of his planned trip to the U.S. in early
\nOctober. His formal excuse was that he was busy in his role as
\ngovernor with preparing for the provincial government's 2003-2004
\nbudget. But many believe that he canceled the trip in protest
\nover an allegation made last September by U.S. Ambassador Ralph
\nL. Boyce, who said Yogyakarta was no longer a safe tourist
\ndestination.<\/p>\n
To put things right, the U.S. consul general thought it
\nnecessary to explain the matter directly to the sultan.<\/p>\n
Does he think he is still respected by foreigners? \"It is not
\na matter of being offended -- far from it. Other people may have
\ninterpreted it as being that way. It's about how I build
\ncommunication with foreigners. I take a confidence-building
\napproach. I know foreigners trust individuals more than
\ninstitutions,\" he said.<\/p>\n
You would have to read between the lines if this remark
\nimplies he is hopeful that his foreign friends would support him
\nif he wants to clinch the presidential position.<\/p>",
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