Wiranto's hard work eventually paid off<\/p>\n
The victory of former military commander Gen. (ret) Wiranto,
\n57, over Golkar Party leader Akbar Tandjung just after midnight
\n(early Wednesday), had been predicted by some, as he was
\nperceived to be Akbar's main rival. His hard work to forge a
\npolitical career after retiring from the Indonesian Military
\n(TNI) in 1999, paid off.<\/p>\n
Months before the Golkar convention to elect its presidential
\ncandidate Wiranto had been busy working on his image -- both as a
\nman tied to the New Order, which used the military to ensure the
\nlasting power of rulers, and as the former military chief
\nindicted for crimes against humanity by the serious crimes unit
\nof the district court in Dili, East Timor.<\/p>\n
As TNI commander and minister of defense, he is charged for
\nfailing to prevent the killings and destruction following the
\n1999 referendum in which most East Timorese voted for separation
\nfrom Indonesia. Prosecutors are seeking an arrest warrant for
\nhim.<\/p>\n
In response to this issue, which could raise domestic and
\ninternational objections to his presidency, Wiranto's testimony
\ntitled Witness before the storm was published.<\/p>\n
Following president Soeharto's resignation, Wiranto made a
\nnumber of gestures as part of the military's effort to show it
\nwas no longer a political tool. He apologized to the people of
\nAceh, now Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, and ended the 10-year
\nmilitary operation there. Also, he announced TNI's \"new
\nparadigm\", in which the territorial function -- an extension of
\nthe military's powerful social and political role in the
\nprovinces and regencies -- would gradually end.<\/p>\n
His admirers credit him for making the crucial decision not to
\ntake power in the tense days of the transfer from Soeharto to BJ
\nHabibie, whose rise to the presidency was legally questioned.
\nWiranto was trusted to serve as minister under presidents
\nSoeharto, Habibie and Abdurrahman.<\/p>\n
In common with his main rival, Gen. (ret) Susilo Bambang
\nYudhoyono, he enjoys a good audience when singing. He also once
\nled the national associations of bridge and karate.<\/p>\n
A unique touch to his campaign on Tuesday, was the
\nannouncement published in major dailies of the result of an essay
\ncontest for students themed \"If I were president of Indonesia.\"
\nThe advertisement bore Wiranto's picture and the slogan: \"Now I
\nhear you!\"<\/p>\n
Excerpts of Wiranto's biodata:
\nBorn: Yogyakarta, April 4, 1947
\nEducation: Military Academy (graduated 1968)<\/p>\n
Army Staff and Command School (1984)<\/p>\n
Institute of National Resilience (best graduate, 1995)
\nCareer: Adjutant to former president Soeharto, 1989-1993<\/p>\n
Jakarta military commander, 1994-1996.<\/p>\n
Commander, Army's Strategic Reserves Command, 1996-
\n1997<\/p>\n
TNI commander\/Minister of defense, 1998-1999<\/p>\n
Coordinating minister for political and security
\naffairs, 1999-2000<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/wirantos-hard-work-eventually-paid-off-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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