Emil supporters admits nomination bid defeat

JAKARTA (JP): Gema Madani, a loose association of well-known scholars and non-governmental organization activists seeking to introduce political reform by proposing an alternative vice presidential candidate, admitted defeat yesterday.

The group, whose name means the Echo of Civil Society, campaigned to have senior economist and former cabinet minister Emil Salim compete with outgoing State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie.

All the five factions in the People's Consultative Assembly, however, have closed their doors on Emil as they have named Habibie as their sole candidate.

This has blocked Emil's chances of being nominated, according to Nafsiah Mboi, a former legislator and doctor who is involved in Emil's campaign.

She told The Jakarta Post yesterday that because the 1945 Constitution stated that only the Assembly's factions could nominate presidential and vice presidential candidates, it was clear that it was now impossible for the activists to press forward with their campaign for Emil.

"The explanation is that simple," Nafsiah said about why the campaign that has generated much publicity and invited both support and criticism, suddenly lost steam after the factions' chose Habibie.

Gema Madani claims they have collected more than 10,000 signatures supporting Emil's nomination.

"Even now more and more signatures are coming to our office," Nafsiah said.

She said the continuing support showed there were always alternative leaders, who were clean, capable and supported by many people.

The supporters of Emil's nomination are reported to come from myriad socioeconomic, political and educational backgrounds and range from housewives to Emil's former cabinet colleagues.

"If we don't succeed this time, we still have another chance in the 2003/2008 General Session," Nafsiah said. "But at least this gives us a lesson that if we want to do it next time, we should do it much earlier so there will be enough time to prepare."

She conceded that the campaign for Emil got underway without much preparation.

Gema Madani activist, Ina Hadad, said the group would hold a press conference tomorrow to explain matters regarding Emil's nomination.

Earlier, activist Saparinah Sadli had said simply "that's it" when asked for comment after the Assembly factions closed their doors on the group. (swa)