Beleaguered Sutiyoso opts out of election

Beleaguered Sutiyoso opts out of election

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

JAKARTA: The city will likely have a new governor later this
year as Sutiyoso, who has failed to evade criticism over his poor
performance in a number of areas, has indicated that he would not
run for a second term after his tenure ends in October.

Sutiyoso said during a post-Idul Fitri gathering with the
Betawi (native Jakartans) community here on Sunday that he did
not have any ambition for the nomination, Antara reported.

Sutiyoso, who became governor in 1997, has failed to handle
various urban problems, including garbage, transportation,
evictions of street vendors and slum residents and corruption in
his administration.

Several city councillors had earlier told The Jakarta Post
that they would not support Sutiyoso for a second term.

In the meeting on Sunday, head of the Betawi Community
Consultative Body Abdul Syukur reiterated that his group wanted a
Betawian to lead the city. Sutiyoso is Javanese.

The Consultative Body had prepared 10 names, including
Zailani, the deputy governor for social welfare and Fauzi Bowo,
the city secretary. They will be screened by a team chaired by
former deputy governor Edi Nalapraya, who is also Betawian.

"It should be required that .... (the nominee) holds at least
an S2 (master's degree), if possible an S3 (doctoral degree),
experienced (as a government official) and religious," Abdul
Syukur said.

Sutiyoso, a former Jakarta military commander, warned that the
new governor should be able to coordinate with all parties to
safeguard Jakarta due to the possible tense political situation
in 2003 and 2004, when the general elections will take place.

The majority of governors all over the country, including
Jakarta, are from the military. Jakarta has had 11 governors
since independence, and there was only one civilian who held the
post, from 1965 to 1966 during the waning days of the Soekarno
administration. The last six governors were Ali Sadikin (1967-
1977), Tjokropranolo (1977-1982), Soeprapto (1982-1987), Wiyogo
Atmodarminto (1987-1992), Surjadi Soedirdja (1992-1997) and
Sutiyoso (since 1997).