Jakarta expects 'to see governors from the military'

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)