Habibie for vice president

From Merdeka

I agree with those who believe that the next vice president should be minister B.J. Habibie. He is a national leader who is qualified for the job. Here are some reasons:

* Being a Moslem he will be supported by Moslems who make up most of this nation.

* His adherence to the religion is steadfast, as reflected by his position as the leader of the Moslem intellectuals association.

* His scientific qualifications are well-reputed as he is the head of the nation's strategic industries, including IPTN the aircraft maker.

If only he could get rid of corrupt officials in the industries, the country's economy would surely be boosted and the nation's self-confidence assured.

Being a civilian and outer islander, his election will stave off the impression that a vice president is almost always a Javanese military person.

Nevertheless, there seems to be two trivial things blocking his way to the nation's second-highest position.

First, whether he has prepared his younger leaders to handle the strategic industrial projects?

Second, whether he will be able to change his image of leaning heavily on the government-backed Golkar because as a vice president he would belong to the whole nation. I have my doubts because his role with Golkar has been too prominent.

Some say that the 1998/2003 vice president will be in a strategic position given the advanced age of President Soeharto (who it is believed will be reelected).

I disagree. The presidency and the vice presidency have always been important positions and that is why we have always tried to choose the best people.

The incapacity of a president or a vice president to serve his or her term in full should not be cause for concern because, as a religious nation, we will certainly leave all matters to God.

ENDRA SYUARNA

Bekasi, West Java