Between Akbar and Wiranto

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