Council firm on choice of Sultan

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)