Golkar affiliates told not to name VP candidates
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)
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)