Emil supporters admits nomination bid defeat

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)