Council announces 12 candidates for next governor

JAKARTA (JP): The City Council officially announced yesterday 12 proposed candidates for Jakarta's next governor.

However, one of the candidates, Council Speaker M.H. Ritonga, who made the announcement himself, said that he was unwilling to be a candidate.

"So, from now on there will be 11 official candidates from the council," Ritonga said at a press conference.

He expressed his gratitude to those who proposed him as a gubernatorial candidate. "But I'm very sorry I can't fulfill their expectations," Ritonga said.

He said that he had no desire to be a candidate since the beginning of candidate deliberation.

"I've asked my faction (the Armed Forces) not to propose me, but I can't ask the same of other factions who nominate me," Ritonga said.

He did not explain his reason for rejecting the proposal. "It doesn't seem right selecting myself (as a candidate)," Ritonga said.

Official candidates for Jakarta's next governor include incumbent Governor Surjadi Soedirdja, City Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso, former Jakarta military commander Lt. Gen. A.M. Hendropriyono, chairman of Golkar city chapter Tadjus Sobirin and Army Territorial Center chief Maj. Gen. Adang Ruchiatna P.

Other candidates are former deputy governor of administrative affairs Edi M. Nalapraya, legislator Achmadi, Deputy Governor of Economic and Development Affairs Tb.M. Rais, legislator HR Agung Laksono and City Secretary Harun Al Rasyid.

Ritonga said that there were other proposed candidates from the public, which were not selected by the council.

"There's no need to mention their names," Ritonga said.

Among reasons for excluding proposed candidates from the public were because they were proposed individually, he said.

In response to the proposal from youth organizations to include Maj. Gen. Kentot Harseno as a candidate, Ritonga said it was already discussed between councilors.

"In the meeting, we decided that the proposal came after the deadline when we accepted public input on gubernatorial candidates. Besides, it's against the Ministry of Home Affairs' schedule (on selecting candidates)," Ritonga said.

The council urged the public to give input for Jakarta's next governor from June 1 to June 20.

After selecting candidates from the public and council factions, the City Council was scheduled to consult the Minister of Home Affairs next week, he said.

When asked about Hendropriyono's unwillingness to be a candidate, he said the council knew of his refusal from media reports.

"He (Hendropriyono) is still a proposed candidate," Ritonga said.

He explained that in the selection stage, candidates were not required to officially state willingness in becoming candidates.

"Proposed candidates will be asked about their willingness in the next stage, when the new council screens them based on required criteria," Ritonga said.

City Council members will end their terms on July 18, when new members will be officially installed.

Ritonga said the new councilors would then consult the minister of home affairs on nominated candidates, whose number would be between three and five.

The nominated candidates should receive President Soeharto's approval before a selection for Jakarta's next governor is made.

Surjadi, whose term of office ends Oct. 6, already filed a letter of resignation with the President through Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. in March. (ste)