Susilo rules out affiliation to political party<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
\nSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono denied on Friday earlier reports that he
\nwould join the newly established Democratic Party as his
\npolitical vehicle to run for president in the coming election.<\/p>\n
Susilo said he was committed to conducting his daily tasks as
\na Cabinet minister who will be involved in all preparations for
\nthe election, which is expected to take place in June 2004.<\/p>\n
\"I want to stress that I have not joined any formal political
\norganization yet because I wish to focus on my daily duties.<\/p>\n
\"Personally, I don't want to spoil my current job as a
\ncoordinating minister, which is quite a heavy responsibility for
\nme, by participating in activities in a political party ... I'd
\nrather focus on my state duties, which are my top priority,\"
\nSusilo told reporters after addressing a seminar held by the
\nSurabaya Institute of Technology here.<\/p>\n
He refused to comment on an offer to lead the Democratic Party
\nin October 2002.<\/p>\n
One of Democratic Party founders, Bambang W. Soeharto, who is
\nalso a member of the National Commission on Human Rights and
\nformer member of Golkar Party, claimed on Thursday that Susilo
\nwas involved in the preparations of the new party.<\/p>\n
According to Bambang, the party's backbone would comprise of
\nacademicians and Muslim clerics from various Islamic boarding
\nschools. The party will be officially launched on May 12 with
\nAsman Budi Santoso, former University of Indonesia rector named
\nas chairman.<\/p>\n
Bambang said during their congress in October, the party
\nexecutives considered offering the chair to Susilo.<\/p>\n
Susilo, a retired Army general, was one of five candidates who
\nran for vice president in the Special Session of the People's
\nConsultative Assembly in July last year.<\/p>\n
The Assembly elected the new vice president after incumbent
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri was appointed President replacing
\nAbdurrahman \"Gus Dur\" Wahid, who was dismissed due to his erratic
\nadministration.<\/p>\n
Aside from Susilo, the vice presidential candidates were
\nMinister of Transportation Agum Gumelar, former Golkar executive
\nSiswono Yudohusodo, Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung and
\nHamzah Haz of the United Development Party (PPP). Hamzah came out
\nthe winner, thanks in part to support from Megawati's Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).<\/p>\n
\"Many believe, especially my colleagues, that I failed because
\nI didn't have any political vehicle, which is necessary from the
\nethical point of view to obtain certain political positions,\"
\nSusilo recollected.<\/p>\n
The Democratic Party could be the fourth new political party
\nlaunched this year. Another party led by former PDI Perjuangan
\nlegislator Dimyati Hartono, the Indonesia -- Our Motherland Party
\n(PITA) is to be officially launched in a few weeks.<\/p>\n
The PPP of Reform, a splinter group of Muslim-based PPP, was
\nlaunched in January and the Indonesian Islamic Party (PII) last
\nFriday.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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