Ginandjar finally selected for MPR from West Java

BANDUNG (JP): Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita has been selected as a member of the West Java regional representative in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

Ginandjar and Habib Syarif Muhammad, chairman of West Java chapter of the National Awakening Party, secured the most votes here on Thursday evening to grab the last two of five seats to represent West Java in the Assembly.

Ginandjar obtained 91 votes, followed by Habib with 51 votes. Another candidate, Burhanuddin Somawinata, chairman of the United Development Party's provincial chapter, just missed out as he came one vote shy of Habib.

The provincial council comprises 98 members, with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle having the largest number of seats with 30.

Ginandjar has said he will resign from his ministry if appointed a legislative representative.

The newly elected representative will join three other elected regional representatives from West Java -- Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) rector Lilik Hendrajaya, businessman D. Sutrisno and Solichin G.P. of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle -- who were chosen on Wednesday.

Each province is allotted five representatives in the 700- member Assembly who in November will elect a new president.

Meanwhile in Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi, members of the provincial chapter of the Golkar Party said it would forward A.A. Baramuli, chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA), as one of the candidates for the province's regional representatives.

Baramuli's younger brother, Eddy Baramuli, who is vice chairman of Golkar's South Sulawesi chapter, claimed that the party would throw its full support behind the senior Baramuli.

"Golkar will fight for Baramuli as he is a national figure from our province," Eddy said, adding the party would first seek President B.J. Habibie's permission as Baramuli was a state official.

However, party sources told The Jakarta Post that Baramuli was not among the leading candidates to be nominated by Golkar, pointing to Minister of Information Yunus Yosfiah and businessman Jusuf Kalla as the leading candidates. (37/43/emf)