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)