Jakarta expects 'to see governors from the military'

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta will see governors from the military for a long time to come, a political researcher said yesterday.

Mahrus Irsyam of the University of Indonesia (UI) said military figures were appointed as Jakarta governors because of the city's strategic importance.

"Jakarta is the country's capital and the governor should be able to maintain stable political conditions," Mahrus told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

He said it was almost impossible to appoint a civilian as governor of Jakarta.

If a civilian were to be appointed as governor here, he said, it would be difficult for him or her to immediately handle disorder.

"What would a civilian governor do if a riot suddenly broke out, such as what happened in Tanah Abang?" Mahrus, a lecturer at UI's School of Social and Political Affairs, said.

A governor from the military, he said, would immediately handle such situations because he would have access to both military and civilian resources.

"A governor from the military could be flexible in solving riots with his good military connections; he could also approach the public as governor without being directly connected to the military," Mahrus said.

He said he was "99 percent certain" that Jakarta's next governor would be a military figure.

As of yesterday, the City Council had received 15 names of people proposed as candidates for the next governor of Jakarta. The deadline for proposals is today.

"The three most proposed candidates were Governor Surjadi Soedirdja, Lt. Gen. A.M. Hendropriyono and Jakarta Military Commander May. Gen. Sutiyoso," the council's secretary Untung Sutriasno said yesterday.

Both Surjadi and Hendro, as Hendropriyono is popularly known, were former Jakarta military commanders. Hendro was installed as secretary of development and supervision last January.

The same candidates were also proposed by the National Youth Committee (KNPI) city branch to the council yesterday.

Deputy chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) city chapter, Saud Rachman, said yesterday that PPP would propose five candidates, including a civilian -- Deputy Governor of Development and Economic Affairs Tb.M. Rais.

Saud said other candidates to be proposed were City Council Speaker M.H. Ritonga, Surjadi, Hendro and Sutiyoso.

Mahrus also added that the next governor could be a former Jakarta military commander.

"The nomination of a former Jakarta military commander would be based on his success in maintaining security, such as in the general election and ballot counting," Mahrus said.

Moreover, a military commander should have a good approach to people such as in conducting Friday prayers in different places, he said.

When asked about the role of the next governor in Jakarta's development, including in the construction of mass transportation projects, Mahrus said, "In comparison to a civilian, maybe a military figure would be a little too rigid in his approach.

"But the projects would be safer under his leadership, because they would be protected from disturbances."

The council will hold a meeting to screen proposed candidates on Monday before consulting Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M.

According to Mahrus, a governor from the military "is usually open to good suggestions and plans".

A 1974 government regulation stipulates that a governor may serve a second five-year term.

Surjadi filed a letter of resignation to President Soeharto through the Minister of Home Affairs in March. His office term ends Oct. 6.

Proposed candidates should meet all requirements set by the Ministry of Home Affairs before being officially nominated. The nominated candidates should receive presidential approval as well. (ste)