Emil could be Golkar's choice

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)