I am ready to run for 2004 presidency: Amien

JAKARTA (JP): Outspoken chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Amien Rais said on Friday that he was ready to run for the presidency in 2004.

Amien, who is on a four-day visit to South Korea, was quoted by Antara as saying in Seoul that he would withdraw his presidential bid if there was a "younger, better and more acceptable" candidate in the next election.

"The presidential election is still four years away and if I am still alive and healthy and if the candidates are not convincing enough, then, God willing, I will run for the presidency," Amien, who was at the forefront of the reform movement here two years ago, told journalists.

Amien, who also chairs the National Mandate Party, is in Korea to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the killings of dozens of students during an antigovernment protest in Kwangju.

Amien was scheduled to arrive back in Jakarta on Saturday afternoon.

Analysts have so far said that Amien and chairman of the House of Representatives Akbar Tandjung, who chairs the Golkar party, are among the likely presidential candidates in 2004.

Amien was recently at odds with President Abdurrahman Wahid for his remarks that he would not hesitate "to pinch" the President's ears should the government veer off track in its policies.

Abdurrahman fought back immediately and warned of a backlash against his political foes if they failed to back up their criticism. (byg)