Wiranto, Marwah begin presidential campaign<\/p>\n
Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi<\/p>\n
Former Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen. (ret) Wiranto and
\nGolkar deputy chairperson Marwah Daud Ibrahim kicked off their
\nquest for the presidency with a tour to win support from the
\nparty's constituents here over the weekend.<\/p>\n
The rally at Golkar's party chapter office came less than a
\nweek after they confirmed their participation in the party's
\nnational convention to select its presidential candidate.<\/p>\n
Speaking before 200 Golkar supporters, South Sulawesi native
\nMarwah pledged to boost the democratization process in the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
\"For me the opportunity from Golkar for its cadres to compete
\nin the convention is proof that democracy is on track,\" Marwah, a
\nmass communication expert, said.<\/p>\n
Golkar was the political machine of the New Order regime under
\nformer president Soeharto, who stepped down in May 1998 following
\na wave of student rallies. But Golkar survived the most difficult
\nperiod for the party, thanks in part to chairman Akbar Tandjung.<\/p>\n
Akbar is also contesting the convention despite his conviction
\nin a graft case. The convention committee has scrapped the
\nrequirement for a candidate to submit a police clearance to show
\nthat one does not have a criminal record to take part in the
\nselection, in an apparent move to facilitate Akbar's
\nparticipation in the convention.<\/p>\n
Marwah, also known as one of Akbar's critics, said she
\nbelieved the convention would proceed in a fair and transparent
\nmanner.<\/p>\n
The capital of South Sulawesi is one of seven cities across
\nthe country that will host the Golkar rally for 19 presidential
\ncandidates who are joining the convention.<\/p>\n
The party will short-list five candidates in October and
\nchoose its sole presidential aspirant in October.<\/p>\n
Wiranto had his turn to speak before Golkar supporters in
\nSouth Sulawesi on Sunday along with Yogyakarta Governor Sultan
\nHamengkubuwono X.<\/p>\n
Speaking after a discussion to review his newly launched book
\nhere, Wiranto expressed his bid to win Golkar's support for the
\nlandmark direct presidential election next year and said he would
\nnot settle for vice president.<\/p>\n
\"The president is the main person who will determine the
\nsuccess of the country. That's why I want to be president and not
\nvice president,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Wiranto came under international scrutiny after state
\nprosecutors exempted him from the list of suspects in the human
\nrights violations before and after the UN-administered referendum
\nin East Timor in 1999. At that time he was the chief of the TNI,
\nwhich was entrusted to maintain security in the former Indonesian
\nprovince.<\/p>\n
He wrote his newly published book titled: Testify amid the
\nstorm in remembrance of the 1999 upheaval in East Timor.<\/p>\n
Wiranto said he would promote efforts to strengthen law
\nenforcement, the eradication of corruption and improvement of
\npeople's welfare during his presidential campaign.<\/p>\n
Convention participants also include Coordinating Minister for
\nPeople's Welfare Jusuf Kalla, media mogul Surya Paloh,
\nbusinessman Aburizal Bakrie and former Army's Strategic Reserves
\nCommand (Kostrad) chief Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto.<\/p>\n
Noted Muslim scholar Nurcholish Madjid has withdrawn from the
\nconvention out of disappointment with the lack of transparency in
\nthe selection process and the alleged involvement of money
\npolitics. Minister of Transportation Agum Gumelar followed suit,
\nciting his workload as a Cabinet member.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/wiranto-marwah-begin-presidential-campaign-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}