Govt asked not to overreact on VP talks
Govt asked not to overreact on VP talks
JAKARTA (JP): House Speaker Wahono asked the government
yesterday not to overreact to the increasingly open discussion on
the country's future leadership.
After swearing in six new members of the People's Consultative
Assembly, Wahono said government officials should handle all
aspirations of the public with care, rather than just labeling
them as opposition.
"An advanced nation is a big-hearted one, willing to accept
criticism or strong reactions," Wahono said.
"Hence, there should be space for the public to debate the
country's future leadership... We can expect brilliant thoughts
to arise from discourse, and this will in turn benefit our
present and future life," he added.
Wahono was commenting on growing discussion on who will be
Indonesia's next vice president. Several names have emerged,
mainly cabinet ministers and politicians.
Siti Hardiyanti Indra Rukmana, President Soeharto's eldest
daughter, is among the recent names put forward.
Since J. Kristadi of the Centre for Strategic and
International Studies recently called her a deserving candidate,
Hardiyanti has received great support. She is now deputy
chairwoman of the dominant Golkar.
Heavyweight nominees include State Minister of Research and
Technology B.J. Habibie and Golkar chairman Harmoko.
The Chairman of the United Development Party (PPP), Ismail
Hasan Metareum, has put his own name forward, but is an outsider.
Ismail, who was later nominated by the PPP's Jakarta chapter, has
since backed off.
Incumbent President Soeharto is likely to be unchallenged for
another five-year term.
The 1,000-strong assembly will convene in March next year to
deliberate the Broad Guidelines of State Policy and elect a
president, who will appoint a vice president.
Wahono said there was nothing wrong with the public supporting
vice presidential candidates, adding that it showed greater
political participation.
"Such an attitude is part of the dynamic Pancasila democracy
which guarantees openness without cause for suspicion," Wahono
said.
He said the political climate was hotting up, thanks to the
public's growing political awareness before the May 29 general
election.
"The more educated people are, the stauncher are their demands
for improved political rights and democracy," Wahono said.
The recent series of riots that rocked the country had
resulted from the heating political climate, he said. "But the
situation remains under the control of security authorities."
The legislators inducted yesterday were Jakarta military
commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso, East Java Police Chief Maj. Gen.
Soemarsono, East Timor military commander Col. Mahidin Simbolon,
Col. Tonny Rompis, Col. Bambang A.S. and Brig Gen. (ret) Bandjela
Paliudju.
They replaced Lt. Gen. Wiranto, Maj. Gen. Roesmanhadi, Col.
Kiki Syahnakri, Col. Eliza Hehamahua, Abdul Azis Lamadjido and
Brig. Gen. Haryono respectively.
During their short service, which will end on Sept. 30, the
new legislators will represent their own provinces.
The assembly comprises 500 members of the House of
Representatives, who are mostly elected in general elections, and
500 people who are chosen by the President to represent groups
and regions. (amd)
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