Golkar executive supports Harmoko on VP contest

Golkar executive supports Harmoko on VP contest

JAKARTA (JP): A Golkar executive openly gave support yesterday
to Harmoko, the chairman of the dominant political organization,
in the race for the vice presidency.

Pinantun Hutasoit, one of Golkar's five deputy chairpersons,
said it was logical for the ruling party to nominate its chairman
as the running mate of incumbent President Soeharto for the next
five years, thanks in part to his key role in the organization's
landslide win in last year's general election.

"This logic needs promoting for the sake of a good political
education for the people. We hope to see better political
practices in the country, in which everybody complies with the
existing mechanisms and encourages transparency," Pinantun said.

He said Harmoko deserved the second top post also because he
had proven capable of cooperating with Soeharto, who chairs
Golkar's board of patrons.

"Why should we not take this seriously? It's impossible that
the chief of Golkar's board of patrons cannot team up well with
the Golkar chairman," said Pinantun, who is also a House member.

"My choice is merely based on logic, not factors of like and
dislike," he added.

Golkar has so far refused to unveil its vice presidential
candidate, saying that it must discuss the issue first with its
traditional allies -- the Armed Forces and the bureaucracy.

Harmoko has said that the coalition will only pick one
candidate whose name will be announced during the general session
of the People's Consultative Assembly next month.

Pinantun said yesterday the vice presidential nomination had
sparked debate within Golkar.

"Golkar welcomes arguments on the vice presidency, but only
reasonable ideas will be accepted," he said.

Pinantun said, however, the final say was up to the chief
patron, whom he said might have his own preference on the vice
presidential candidate.

Golkar secretary-general Ary Mardjono was more cautious
yesterday, saying that Harmoko was probably being nominated on
organizational grounds.

"But his (Harmoko's) nomination will remain just one of many
inputs because we have not yet talked about our choice for the
second top post," Ary said.

He said 45 Golkar executives would meet next week to select
the party's vice presidential candidate. Ary refused to disclose
the exact date of the plenary meeting.

"We have listed a number of candidates who are almost the same
as the public's favorites," Ary said, adding that Golkar would
not announce its choice until it had consulted the newly elected
president.

Ary said Golkar might pick a different choice from that of the
Armed Forces, but the allies would seek a compromise based on the
14 requirements they had set for a vice presidential nominee.

Last month, the coalition announced the criteria, which
included a good vision of technology and international
recognition. Many observers have speculated that the criteria
favor State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie, who
has been in the cabinet for 20 years.

A group of youths from Palembang, South Sumatra pledged their
support yesterday for the renomination of incumbent Vice
President Try Sutrisno.

In their statement read before the secretary-general of the
Assembly, Afif Ma'roef, the group said Try met the requirements
of a future leader due to his experience. (amd)