Factions race for chairmanship

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Nine factions at the City Council have been polarized into two groups in the race for its chairmanship, with the election scheduled for Sept. 17.

The first alliance -- consisting of the Prosperous and Justice Party (PKS), Democratic Party, National Awakening Party (PKB) and National Mandate Party (PAN) factions -- has nominated councillor Ahmad Heryawan of PKS as its candidate.

The second alliance -- also known as the nationhood coalition comprising the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Golkar Party, United Development Party (PPP), Prosperous Peace Party (PDS) and Reform Star Party (PBR) -- is likely to propose Golkar councilor Ade Supriatna as its candidate.

On paper, Heryawan has won due to support from PAN that eventually joined the first alliance, bringing the total votes to 38, surpassing support from the nationhood coalition with only 33 votes.

"We decided to lend our support to PKS in a recent meeting. We hope that the new chairmanship (of Heryawan) will bring fundamental changes in the management of the city," said PAN Jakarta chapter deputy chairman Syahrul J. Bungamayang.

He said PKS deserved the council chairmanship due to the majority votes it won in the April 5 legislative election in the capital.

"Besides, we (PAN) share the same vision as PKS to eradicate collusion, corruption and nepotism."

Sources at the council said there were four names circulating as candidates for the 2004-2009 tenure. Aside from Heryawan and Ade, the Democratic Party will nominate Muthalib Shihab while the PDI-P will propose Maringan Pangaribuan.

According to newly issued Government Regulation No. 24/2004 on the City Council's organizational structure, the board of chairmen of the council must be chosen from candidates proposed by four major factions in the council. In case of Jakarta, PKS, Democratic Party, PDI-P and Golkar are the four major factions.

The board of chairmen comprises a chairman and three deputies.

The four candidates are not allowed to cast their votes, making the number of councilors allowed to vote 71.

Sutiyoso said his administration would welcome the result of the election.

"We hope that we, as the executive, can cooperate with the legislative to better manage the city," he asserted.

Observers have said that Sutiyoso might find difficulty cooperating with the new council with a greater number of councilors from PKS entering the council. PKS is known for its critical stance toward the policies of the governor, especially the aggressive crackdown on street vendors and squatters.