Susilo, Rachma among PAN's nine VP nominees<\/p>\n
Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi<\/p>\n
The National Mandate Party (PAN) is in the process of selecting
\nthe running mate for its presidential candidate Amien Rais from
\nnine leading figures, most of whom are politicians or religious
\nleaders.<\/p>\n
The nominees are Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare
\nJusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security
\nAffairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Minister of Transportation Agum
\nGumelar, Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Hasyim Muzadi, former state
\nminister of public housing Siswono Yudhohusodo, Yogyakarta
\nGovernor Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, Pioneer Party chairwoman
\nRachmawati Soekarnoputri (sister of President Soekarnoputri),
\nsecretary-general of the National Awakening Party Syaifullah
\nYusuf and Golkar politician Marwah Daud Ibrahim.<\/p>\n
PAN chairman Amien said the party would decide upon just one
\nby the conclusion of its national meeting here on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\"I already have my preferred candidate in my mind, but I will
\nnot disclose that now as I have not contacted the person yet. I'm
\nafraid we will offend the figure if we do not use a careful
\napproach,\" Amien said after the opening ceremony on Monday
\nevening.<\/p>\n
Amien said it would be up to the party's provincial chapters
\nto select the vice presidential candidate.<\/p>\n
The party's presidential and vice presidential candidates will
\nbe given free rein to form their campaign team, who will be
\ntasked with publicizing and disseminating the party's position on
\npolitical issues to attract voters.<\/p>\n
Susilo, who was here to speak at a seminar, refused to comment
\non his possible nomination.<\/p>\n
\"I do not understand why they mentioned me and I have never
\nheard it directly from Pak Amien. Therefore, I prefer not to
\ncomment on it,\" Susilo said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Syaifullah, who was invited to the opening ceremony, said he
\nappreciated his nomination and intimated that there was divine
\nintervention, but refused to comment further.<\/p>\n
\"I give thanks to God that I was chosen as possible vice
\npresidential candidate,\" he said. Syaifullah, a nephew of former
\npresident Abdurrahman Wahid, is also running for the governorship
\nof East Java.<\/p>\n
Amien said the party would need Rp 500 billion (US$61.7
\nmillion) for the presidential election campaign, with only 0.5
\npercent of that already in hand.<\/p>\n
Despite the lack of funds, he said the party would be
\nselective in accepting financial assistance. \"If we receive Rp 20
\nmillion it will just make sense, but we will think twice about
\naccepting donations in the hundreds of millions of rupiah or a
\nbillion,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The presidential election bill stipulates donations must not
\nexceed Rp 50 million from individuals or Rp 500 million from
\ncorporations or organizations.<\/p>\n
Indonesia will hold its landmark direct presidential election
\nnext year, which will be held over two stages unless a candidate
\nwins an outright majority in the first round. The first phase is
\nscheduled for June 2004, while the second round is set for
\nAugust.<\/p>",
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