Golkar not to rescind Soeharto's nomination

JAKARTA (JP): Golkar remains steadfast in its support for President Soeharto's renomination to another term of office despite concerns over the President's ailing health.

Golkar chairman Harmoko said Saturday the ruling political organization would not rescind Soeharto's nomination.

The position, he said, had been made clear to the People's Consultative Assembly working committee in charge of preparing for the presidential and vice presidential elections.

"Golkar will continue (with its) nomination of Pak Harto," Harmoko was quoted by Antara as saying after attending a function commemorating the grouping's 33rd anniversary by the Bali chapter.

Harmoko made the remarks in response to a press query on whether Golkar would press ahead with its nomination following news about Soeharto's health.

"Golkar does not have even the slightest hesitation in its commitment for Soeharto's nomination," said Harmoko, who is also speaker of the House of Representatives.

Golkar holds 488 seats in the 1,000-seat People's Consultative Assembly. With the unfailing support of its traditional allies, the Armed Forces and the Regional Representatives factions with 113 and 149 seats respectively, Golkar would be able to quell any dissenting positions from the two minority factions, Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and United Development Party (PPP).

Neither PDI nor PPP have declared support for any presidential candidates, but it is unlikely that they would press for a different candidate.

President Soeharto recently canceled planned trips to the Organization of Islamic Conference summit in Tehran, Iran, and the 30th commemorative summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kuala Lumpur today and tomorrow.

Soeharto said Saturday he was healthy and in good condition after resting several days as ordered by his doctors.

In Surabaya yesterday, political observer Amien Rais called on the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) not to "force" Soeharto to serve another term. He also said Soeharto's remarks during the 33rd commemoration of Golkar in October testified to his readiness to step aside and play a pundit role, if he was not reelected.

"If we are really fond of Pak Harto, we should not push him into taking another term," said Amien, who is the chairman of the 28-million-strong Muhammadiyah Moslem organization, in a discussion at the local chapter.

Vice president

Also Saturday, the deputy chief of the State Intelligence Coordinating Body (Bakin), Nurhadi Purwosaputro, said it was keeping a close watch on the jockeying for the vice presidential seat but admitted that everything was still within normal bounds and practices.

Nurhadi said it was no secret that the vice presidential post was currently the most coveted position.

Speaking to journalists after addressing the 60th anniversary on Saturday of the National News Agency Antara, he said "it's obvious that people's interest picks up when the vice presidential race is going on".

Nurhadi said Bakin was keeping a close eye on the political maneuvering by those widely mentioned as strong candidates for the vice presidency, especially since the 1998 presidential and vice presidential election was approaching.

"We have found no violations so far. Their actions are still within the existing rules of the game," he said.

Nurhadi brushed aside fears that the political rivalry of the candidates would become unrestrained and lead to friction.

"I'm sure the election frictions will not grow worse if our Armed Forces remain solid," he said.

Separately, the chairman of the 30-million-strong Nahdlatul Ulama Moslem organization, Abdurrahman Wahid, said he had no particular preference on any of the names cited as a likely candidate.

"The most important thing is that he or she must be much younger than President Soeharto," he told reporters during a lunch break of a discussion held by the Association of Intellectuals for Pancasila Development (PCPP).

Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, called on the political elite not to monopolize the election process of the vice presidency and allow the public an opportunity to be involved.

When asked how apt it would be to ask Soeharto to accept renomination for another five-year term despite his age and health, Abdurrahman said such a decision should rest on Assembly members.

But he noted that it was now more difficult for Indonesians to decide whether Soeharto was still ready to serve another term.

"People do not know how critical his sickness is or how serious it affects his ability to work," said the widely respected Abdurrahman.

Meanwhile, Golkar's labor wing, SOKSI, officially announced Saturday it was nominating Soeharto for reelection and five other men as its vice presidential candidates.

The list for vice president comprised incumbent Try Sutrisno, Harmoko, State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie, Minister of Information R. Hartono and State Minister for Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita.

In the closing ceremony of its leadership meeting, SOKSI also called on the future 1998/2003 cabinet to avoid becoming a "political burden" for President Soeharto.

The organization did not say, however, whether there were ministers in the current cabinet it considered "politically burdening" to the President. (nur/imn/swe)