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)