Habibie approves Akbar resignation

Habibie approves Akbar resignation

JAKARTA (JP): Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung and
State Minister of Investment Hamzah Haz have resigned from the
Cabinet in adherence to an electoral ruling that bars Cabinet
ministers from campaigning for the June 7 elections.

President B.J. Habibie has accepted Akbar's resignation, which
will be effective on Monday, as Akbar himself revealed to
journalists after meeting with Habibie in Kediri, East Java.
Separately, in Ungaran, Central Java, Hamzah expressed his
intention to resign on May 18, one day before the start of the
official election campaign period set for May 19 to June 4.

Akbar is chairman of the Golkar Party, while Hamzah chairs the
Muslim-based United Development Party (PPP). An electoral code of
conduct set and agreed upon by both the General Election
Commission and political parties contesting the poll bars state
officials, including ministers, from campaigning.

"President Habibie understood my resignation, and approved it.
He accepted my request for retirement," Akbar said, adding it
would be unthinkable for him not to campaign for Golkar as the
party has given him the mandate to lead it.

"I am a party chairman and in that position I must campaign
for my party," he said.

Hamzah said: "I will quit as minister and work together with
other PPP members to consolidate (the party) to win the
elections."

Akbar said it would be Habibie's responsibility to pick a
successor as minister/state secretary, adding he would remain
close to the President despite his impending departure from the
Cabinet. He even hinted that Habibie would be Golkar's sole
candidate for the next president.

Habibie is expected to announce Akbar's successor on Monday.

Akbar's deputy as state secretary, Lt. Gen. (ret) Toni Hartono
is said to be the strongest candidate.

Palace sources said on Friday that the incumbent head of the
State Intelligence Coordinating Board (Bakin), Lt. Gen. ZA
Maulani, and the vice presidential assistant for people's welfare
and poverty eradication, Jimly Assiddhiqie, were also eying the
position.

Jimly has retained the position he obtained under Soeharto's
regime when Habibie was vice president. Indonesia has not had a
vice president since Habibie left the position to replace
Soeharto in May last year.

Both Maulani and Jimly are Habibie's confidantes.

Separately, Todung Mulya Lubis, deputy chairman of the
Election Supervisory Committee, said not only ministers but all
state officials -- including Supreme Advisory Council (DPA)
chairman A.A. Baramuli, who is a Golkar executive -- should also
be barred from campaigning for their parties.

Todung accused Baramuli of premature campaigning and of
repeatedly giving financial assistance to Golkar supporters.

Meanwhile, Golkar's deputy secretary-general, Bomer Pasaribu,
said the party is to hold a leadership meeting on May 13, in
which it will decide on its final candidate for president. Party
executives will choose one from among five nominees: Habibie,
Akbar, Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto,
Yogyakarta monarch Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, and Coordinating
Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar
Kartasasmita.

Bomer said Akbar had a considerable chance at the presidency
following a decline in Habibie's popularity over the last two
months.

"The next leadership meeting may endorse Akbar's presidential
candidacy following Habibie's decreasing popularity and
credibility," he said.

He said party elders praised Akbar for his decision to resign,
adding the move made him even more popular.

Dawam Rahardjo, a National Mandate Party (PAN) leader, said
his party would be ready to form a coalition with Golkar if it
would nominate Akbar rather than Habibie.

"Akbar and Amien Rais (PAN chairman) might work together as a
team... But if Golkar nominates Habibie, it wouldn't work. Amien
wouldn't want to become (Habibie's) second banana," Dawam said on
the sidelines of a discussion held by the Alumni of Indonesian
Muslim Students Association (HMI) in Jakarta on Saturday.

Dawam pointed out that Akbar is a former HMI member and said
he has progressive views. "Akbar has the capability (to become
president) because he has experience as minister and a good track
record."

Noted Muslim scholar Nurcholish Madjid, also former chairman
of HMI, said Akbar is a better presidential candidate than
Habibie.

"He stands at a greater distance from former president
Soeharto than Habibie does. And Akbar is more modest than
Habibie. He is good for the country."

Nurcholish praised Akbar's decision to resign. "Well, at least
Golkar can now concentrate on how to win the elections... in a
free and fair way. This is a challenge because it's Golkar's
habit to cheat in every poll." (nur/prb/rms/edt)