Golkar affiliates told not to name VP candidates
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto moved yesterday to curb growing speculation over who might be the next vice president by prohibiting organizations affiliated to the ruling Golkar from naming any names.
In his capacity as Golkar's chief patron, Soeharto told Mien Sugandhi, the chairman of Musyawarah Kekeluargaan Gotong Royong (MKGR) -- one of the organization's affiliates, that they might, however, put forward criteria for the next vice president.
"There's no need to name A, B or C," Mien quoted Soeharto as saying at his Bina Graha office yesterday. "All names will eventually be delivered to me. (I'll see then) who will be able to cooperate with me, who would really help, (work) selflessly and not do their own thing."
The MKGR and its counterparts, Kosgoro and SOKSI, will soon meet to discuss Soeharto's directives, Mien said.
Mien also confirmed that she and Bambang Soeharto, the chairman of Kosgoro, had met with Suhardiman, who is the general chairman of SOKSI, to discuss their vice presidential candidates.
During that meeting, the three leaders agreed on two candidates. However, "in our next meeting, we will just concentrate on the (establishment of) criteria," she said.
While it is a foregone conclusion that Soeharto will be reelected for another term, the question of who will occupy the second top position is widely considered to be crucial for Indonesia's economic and political survival.
Among names that have been mentioned as possible contenders include incumbent Try Sutrisno, State Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita, State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie, Minister of Information R. Hartono and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Wiranto.
Soeharto has so far refused to indicate whether he favored any of the names. Yesterday, Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said that it would not be democratic if Soeharto chose any names now.
In addition, Soeharto would be trespassing on the authority of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), which will convene next month to elect a president and vice president.
Moerdiono told a meeting with House Commission II that Soeharto believed it would be up to the MPR to choose the candidates.
He lauded organizations which put forward criteria for the next vice president. "But criteria should not be seen as favoring someone, because then they would not be criteria any longer," he was quoted by Antara as saying.
Separately yesterday, Ginandjar called a press conference to declare his refusal to be nominated for the vice presidency in the MPR session next month.
He said he did not fit the bill and his position as the chairman of the Golkar faction in the MPR would cause a conflict of interest.
"With the greatest respect to the individuals or organizations who have named me as one of the vice presidential candidates, I beg you not to do so in the Assembly session," he was quoted by Antara as saying.
Ginandjar had previously been elusive over the emergence of his name as a possible contender. "Now is the right time to declare my stance," he said.
He said the coming Assembly would be held at a time as the nation was in a deep economic crisis. "Therefore, the more people there are competing for the vice presidency, the less it will help improve the economic and political situation. In fact, it may worsen the situation," he said.
Ginandjar denied the suggestion that he had been pressured to decline the nomination.
Armed Forces (ABRI) spokesman Brig. Gen. A. Wahab Mokodongan said yesterday the military would maintain its neutrality over the vice presidential nomination and election.
"We will always take the side of the majority in every state matter, including the vice presidential election," he told reporters at a press conference at ABRI's Cilangkap headquarters in East Jakarta.
Mokodongan was responding to the suggestion of certain parties, including businesspeople, that ABRI renominate Try, who is a former ABRI chief, in the election next month.
"We'd be happy if Pak Try is reelected because of his military background," he said, "However, there are many other candidates to consider."
He conceded that the businesspeople might have their own reasons to favor Try's reelection. "But why should they be afraid to support other candidates? Are they scared that their businesses will not develop if another person is elected?" he added.
Mokodongan dismissed speculation that the ABRI faction in the MPR would nominate its commander for the vice presidency. "That would be too selfish," he said.
The ABRI commander is currently Gen. Feisal Tanjung, who is nearing retirement. There has been much speculation that Army Chief Wiranto will replace him soon. (imn/swe)