Akbar may run for presidency

Akbar may run for presidency

JAKARTA: The Golkar Party has issued a circular asking all
members planning to contest the presidential election to report
to the party's central board.

The letter was signed by deputy chairman Slamet Effendy Yusuf
and secretary-general Budi Harsono, Antara reported.

A political observer formerly linked to the party said the
letter indicated Golkar's intention of naming Akbar as its
presidential candidate.

"Perhaps Akbar is confident that he will be acquitted by the
Supreme Court," said Amir Santoso of the University of Indonesia,
referring to Akbar's appeal against a lower court decision to
sentence him to three years in jail in a graft case involving the
State Logistics Agency.

Amir said Akbar and his loyalists were afraid of the
popularity of Cabinet ministers Jusuf Kalla, Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono and Agum Gumelar, who have been nominated by some of
the party's chapters.

Golkar plans a national convention to select its presidential
candidate, who will be chosen from among the names proposed by
all the provincial chapters. -- Antara