Vice presidency the strategic post<\/p>\n
SURABAYA (JP): Politicians and observers alike agreed
\nyesterday that the position of vice president would be strategic
\nin ensuring the smooth succession of national leadership.<\/p>\n
Suhardiman of the ruling Golkar, political scientists Yahya A.
\nMuhaimin of Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University and Susilo
\nUtomo of the Semarang-based Diponegoro University, separately,
\nagreed the next vice president would very likely step into the
\nnumber one position should it become vacant.<\/p>\n
In Surabaya, in front of hundreds of Golkar members,
\nSuhardiman said he believed President Soeharto would be elected
\nfor the 1998-2003 term.<\/p>\n
\"However, this doesn't rule out the possibility of a
\nsuccession taking place halfway. For instance, there's the
\npossibility that Pak Harto..might want to rest, or with full
\nconsideration, resign,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"This means the position of vice president would be very
\nstrategic. The next vice president has a great chance of becoming
\nthe next president,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"During that period, Pak Harto could be expected to give
\ngreater opportunities to the vice president because he would be
\nlimited by his age,\" Suhardiman said.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto is now 75. In July this year he received
\nmedical treatment in Germany but was later declared fit and
\nhealthy for his age.<\/p>\n
Suhardiman named several figures he believed could become vice
\npresident. Two are civilians: State Minister for Research and
\nTechnology B.J. Habibie and Minister of Information\/Golkar
\nchairman Harmoko.<\/p>\n
The other three have a military background: incumbent Vice
\nPresident Try Sutrisno, Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono and
\nState Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar
\nKartasasmita.<\/p>\n
Suhardiman said he believed it would be better if the next
\nvice president came from the government's fold, rather than
\noutside. \"The question of whether that person is a civilian or
\nhas a military background is no longer a problem,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Yahya agreed. He said there's nothing that stipulates the next
\nvice president should have a military background.<\/p>\n
Susilo Utomo predicted there would be lively competition among
\nthe would be vice presidents. \"However, this competition would
\nnot necessarily cause political violence,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Moslem leader Abdurrahman Wahid, however, criticized the
\nongoing discourse on national leadership succession as having
\nlost substance and failed to touch on the question of the
\nnation's agenda.<\/p>\n
\"What's more important is the question of limiting
\npresidential terms and the mechanisms of presidential elections,\"
\nhe said. \"Answers to the two questions are crucial for the
\nnation's future.\"<\/p>\n
\"Rather than debating about whether Pak Harto will be re-
\nelected, it would be better if we now discussed critically and
\nopenly the substance of national leadership succession,\" he said.
\n(25\/har\/swe)<\/p>",
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