Akbar upset by convention result

Akbar upset by convention result

JAKARTA: Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung acknowledged on
Monday that he was upset by the fact that some party's regional
chapters did not support his presidential bid.

"I am upset with this reality. I hope the condition will be
better in the national convention," Akbar told the media at the
House of Representatives here.

He was commenting on the result of Golkar's provincial-level
convention in which the party's provincial chapters in Central
Java, Yogyakarta and South Kalimantan did not support him.

Akbar, however, said he would continue his bid as he already
qualified for the national convention.

According to the convention rules, a candidate must win
support from at least five provincial chapters. Akbar won support
from Central Kalimantan, West Java, Jambi, Bangka Belitung and
West Kalimantan.

The party will short-list five presidential candidates during
a meeting between Oct. 17 and Oct. 19.

Akbar said his status as a graft convict had put him in a
difficult situation in his bid for presidency. He pleaded not
guilty despite the conviction. -- JP