Govt impartial on Muhammadiyah chief

JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman said yesterday that the government has no preference as to who should lead Muhammadiyah, the huge Moslem organization currently holding its congress.

"The government is not supporting anyone in particular, nor do I. It's all up to the congress," Soesilo said after chairing a mini-cabinet meeting to review the political security situation in the country, Antara reported.

He acknowledged that his office will closely monitor the congress in Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh, and that he will also attend the opening ceremony tomorrow. "But I'm not going there to support any candidate. I'm not even a member of Muhammadiyah."

President Soeharto is scheduled to open the congress proper in Banda Aceh today. The leadership contest has been one of the most heated subjects discussed since last Sunday, when the preliminaries to the congress were opened.

There have been rumors that the government is quietly backing one candidate, although this has not been apparent in the proceedings in Banda Aceh.

The cabinet meeting yesterday was attended by, among others, Justice Minister Oetojo Oesman, Minister of Information Harmoko, Minister of Home Affairs Yogie S.M., Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas, Attorney General Singgih and Chief of the State Intelligence Agency M. Sudibyo.

The meeting also reviewed progress on the National Discipline Campaign launched by President Soeharto in May.

Soesilo said the government has opened PO Box 9009 Jakarta 10090 for suggestions and criticisms from members of the public regarding the campaign.

The campaign focuses on basic habits like queuing, turning up for work on time and littering.

He said his office will be sending out teams to various cities this month to check on the campaign and to make an evaluation. (emb)