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