Emil could be Golkar's choice

JAKARTA (JP): The old saying vox populi vox dei is worth believing as the Golkar faction failed yesterday to assert its vice presidential candidate before a group of visitors who lent support to senior economist Emil Salim.

Dozens of journalists who packed the debate held in the Golkar meeting room in the People's Consultative Assembly building yelled: "Emil Salim" every time Golkar deputy secretary Moestahid Astari spoke of the faction's choice for the second top post.

Moestahid was meeting a group of Emil's supporters who included senior sociologist Selo Sumardjan, woman activist Nafsiah Mboi, film actress Niniek L. Karim and human rights activist Clementino dos Reis Amaral.

Despite the mass interruptions, Moestahid managed to smile rather than show anger. But he eventually found the unexpected yells annoying.

"What an influence," he said. "I'm afraid TV and radio audiences will think that we have changed our minds," Moestahid said.

Golkar, he said, remained steadfast in nominating State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie for the vice presidency.

But reporters looked to shrug off Golkar's determined decision. They thronged Selo and Amaral for interviews, while asking them to display stickers bearing the words "Emil Salim (is) my choice." (amd)