Akbar, Megawati to be no-shows at debate
Akbar, Megawati to be no-shows at debate
JAKARTA (JP): Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung and Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) chairwoman Megawati
Soekarnoputri definitely will not show up at the planned debate
for presidential hopefuls at the University of Indonesia (UI) on
Tuesday.
Quoting organizer, student Agus Hariyadi, Antara said the
debate would be participated in by at least four figures: Amien
Rais of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Yusril Ihza Mahendra of
the Crescent Star Party (PBB), Didin Hafiddudhin of the Justice
Party (PK) and Sri Bintang Pamungkas of the Indonesian Democratic
Union Party (PUDI).
Budiman Sudjatmiko of the Democratic People's Party (PRD) is
also invited but has yet to receive official permission to leave
Cipinang Prison in East Jakarta, where he is serving time for
subversive activities committed during the Soeharto regime, long
enough to take part in the debate.
The debate will start at 1 p.m. in UI's student hall at its
Salemba campus. SCTV station will broadcast the event at 10 p.m.
In Jombang, East Java, however, Akbar said Golkar had
appointed a deputy chairman to attend the debate. He did not say
who.
Akbar said he had declined participation not because he feared
the debate but rather due to his state duty as the minister/state
secretary in accompanying President B.J. Habibie in Bali.
Separately in Jakarta, Golkar deputy chairman Theo L. Sambuaga
said his party welcomed the open debate, saying it would
contribute to democratization in the country.
"It's incorrect to say the debate is not suitable to
Indonesian culture," he said.
Theo suggested such a debate be held not only in Jakarta but
also in other parts of the country. He also said the best timing
would be during the People's Consultative Assembly's General
Session in November, when parties would know their shares of
vote.
On Megawati's absence from the event, one of her loyalists
controversially argued against such a debate on the grounds that
it was not in accordance to Indonesian culture.
Megawati, founding president Sukarno's eldest daughter, is
well-known as a politician who usually only cracks a smile in
response to questions posed to her.
Another comment on her refusal came on Monday from an American
expert on Indonesia, Jeffrey Winters, who said in an interview
with Jakarta's Pro2FM radio program that Megawati's excuse was
regrettable.
He said that while Megawati's absence might be her own
business, it remained a question why she continued to refuse to
participate.
Winters speculated that Megawati might not have seen the
debate format as fitting for her.
However, he said Megawati's absence might hurt her political
image. (aan)