Council firm on choice of Sultan

YOGYAKARTA (JP): The provincial legislative council here warned the central government over the weekend that they would accept nothing but a confirmation of Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X as the new Yogyakarta governor.

"The Yogyakarta provincial legislative council will strongly oppose President B.J. Habibie's decision should he reject our unanimous decision to nominate Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X for Yogyakarta's governorship," deputy speaker of Yogyakarta legislative council, Khaerudin, told reporters Saturday.

"In response to people's aspirations and based on our own considerations, President Habibie should only need to approve our proposal on Sri Sultan's governorship," he added.

Khaerudin warned that the legislature would take drastic measures, including holding a referendum on the issue, if Jakarta rejected the proposal.

"Whenever necessary, Yogyakartans can hold a referendum," he said.

Rumors have been rife among residents here that "certain parties" in the state administration would oppose the selection of Sri Sultan as the Yogyakarta governor.

Khaerudin, however, expressed his belief that Habibie would listen to the people's aspirations.

Based on a 1950 law, Yogyakarta was given a special status with the current Sri Sultan's father as governor.

It has been thus widely acknowledged that the governor should come from one of the two aristocratic houses in the ancient town.

Since Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX died in October 1988, Paku Alam VIII served as acting governor. He retired recently at the age of 88.

The issue of the nomination for governor created quite a stir when the United Development Party faction put forward a candidate to challenge Sri Sultan.

The debate was brought to an end when the legislature voted to push Sri Sultan's name as the sole candidate. (23/44/imn)