Between Akbar and Wiranto

The popularity of Wiranto among members of the Golkar party has lately been boosted. In a recent opinion poll -- involving Golkar's regional executives and representatives -- Wiranto secured greater support than the general chairman of the party.

The race between the two prospective presidential candidates of Golkar is very interesting. Both aspirants are "problem" nominees backed by party leadership. While Akbar Tanjung is associated with complicity in a corruption case, Wiranto is allegedly implicated in several cases such as those of post- referendum East Timor and student rioting in Semanggi and Trisakti. But, if the infamous records of the two Golkar entrants are ignored, which of them has the better chance?

Akbar Tanjung started his political career from the lowest position. Political circles have noted that Akbar was born to the political community. His political talents have been tested and he has emerged as a cool and very competent politician. Akbar Tanjung indeed has a good chance of victory in the convention contest.

So, what about Wiranto? Some circles claim Wiranto's promotion to general was hasty. It is public knowledge that Wiranto rose to the post of armed forces commander solely because of his appointment as then president Suharto's adjutant. According to the criteria of military leadership, Wiranto could not have become the Army's strategic reserve commander and chief of staff, let alone military commander.

Prior to his appointment as presidential adjutant, Wiranto was not experienced as a commandant. Once he had served as commandant of Infantry Battalion 712, but the post was short-lived and lasted for less than a year. Only after his post of commandant was over and he became adjutant did his military career shine. That is why Wiranto has been perceived as a leader rising out of a precipitated promotion.

In fact, the participation of both figures in the convention to elect Golkar's presidential candidates does little for the party's position. Eventually, voters will screen out nominees with "problem" backgrounds. But the reality is that they have joined the convention. So, which one of the two will emerge as presidential candidate?

DJOKO SUSILO, Jakarta