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