Ginandjar Kartasasmita cautious on VP nomination
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister for National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita has given a cautious response to calls for him to be put forward as a vice presidential candidate by SOKSI, a labor organization affiliated to the dominant Golkar.
"If anyone thinks I should be considered as vice president, that's an honor... If anyone thinks I deserve to be considered, I am happy and honored. However, as I said once before, everyone of us should be self aware, (we should not) be arrogant. This should be our guidance," said Ginandjar, who is also chairman of the Golkar faction at the People's Consultative Assembly, on Saturday.
"We can feel happy, honored, moved, but we should also realize our limitations. Know yourself, as Jakartans would say.
"The position of vice president is an honored position in our republic, because (the post) is second after the president," he said after a meeting with SOKSI leaders led by chairman Suhardiman.
The meeting was called because the group wanted Ginandjar to tell President Soeharto of its aspirations, including the news that it has named five people it would like to recommend as vice presidential candidates.
The five are Ginandjar, incumbent Try Sutrisno, House speaker Harmoko, State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie and Minister of Information R. Hartono.
Despite recent health problems, President Soeharto looks set to be reelected for a seventh consecutive term in March. Golkar has dismissed calls for a new presidential candidate and has firmly declared its support for Soeharto.
The remaining question is who will be the second in charge, because he or she would have to assume state leadership should the President become incapacitated.
The five names supported by SOKSI have been widely circulating as possible vice presidential candidates. Other names that have been put forward include Golkar leader Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana and Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung.
Hardiyanti, President Soeharto's eldest daughter, has dismissed calls for her to be nominated, saying she is not qualified for the post.
Also Saturday, SOKSI again announced that it had conferred the title Father of Reform on Soeharto, and called on the People's Consultative Assembly to reelect him for the 1998/2003 period.
Suhardiman said the 76-year-old President had successfully led Indonesia to reforms in ideology, politics, economy, social, culture and national defense.
"We are not making (the title) up, we're being objective. The New Order means order in development and reform," Suhardiman said.
"Pak Harto was given the title Father of Development in 1993... now we bestow on him the title Father of Reform," he said.
Ginandjar promised to deliver SOKSI's messages to the President either in person or through Golkar, but encouraged the SOKSI leaders to convey it to him themselves.
However, he asked them to be patient for a while because the President has not been receiving guests lately so that he can give all his attention to overcoming the ongoing economic crisis. (09)