Hayono says he won't lead Kosgoro

Hayono says he won't lead Kosgoro

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman announced yesterday that he does not want to be nominated for the chairmanship of Kosgoro.

He made the statement after meeting with President Soeharto, citing his full activities as a cabinet minister. As of Monday afternoon he was still receiving support from many representatives of the influential organization, and was widely considered to be one of the strongest contenders.

The other competitors are incumbent chairman Soeprapto and Agung Laksono, a leading member of the ruling political grouping, Golkar. Kosgoro is affiliated with Golkar.

"I don't have enough time to chair Kosgoro. I therefore ask the congress participants, mainly from branch offices, not to nominate me for the post," Hayono said yesterday.

The Antara news agency said Hayono was not scheduled to meet with Soeharto yesterday.

Hayono also said Kosgoro has many other potential leaders with the management capability to lead the organization.

He said that, during the meeting, President Soeharto told him that chairman elections should be left to the congress, but the participants should choose someone with enough time to do the job well.

Hayono's announcement has reportedly upset the majority of the congress participants, who had on Monday asked his approval to be nominated for the post. Hayono had earlier indicated his willingness to be nominated.

Hayono thus became the third person to declare his reluctance to lead the organization. Earlier, similar statements were made by Siswono Yudohusodo, Minister of Transmigration; and Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, State Minister of Environment. (imn)