'KNPI free to elect its chairman'

JAKARTA (JP): The government has promised to keep its hands off the chairmanship election of the Indonesian National Youth Committee (KNPI), a well-connected umbrella organization of youth groups.

President Soeharto told Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman yesterday that KNPI, currently holding their eighth congress, were free to elect their own chairman, and the government had no intention of interfering.

"Soeharto said the chairman should be elected by congress participants," said Hayono.

Soeharto also suggested the committee ensure there is a democratic election process, said Hayono.

"If possible the election should be held by discussion. If they fail to reach a consensus, they should vote," Soeharto said.

The third day of the congress began yesterday with candidates and their supporters jockeying for the leadership of the organization which has been criticized for its obvious leaning toward the dominant Golkar.

So far, eight names of candidates have been registered.

Candidates are Joko Purwongemboro of the Panca Marga Youth Organization, Syaiful Anwar of the Indonesian Islamic Youths, Kaharuddin Syah of the Pemuda Pancasila Youth Organization, and Mujib Rachmat of the Ansor Islamic Youth Movement.

Adhyaksa of the Jakarta chapter of KNPI, Ramli H.M. Yusuf of the committee's outgoing central board, Budianto of the Central Java chapter and Gatot Sugito of the East Java chapter of KNPI are also contending.

Hayono said he was surprised the young activists were dependent on the government's direction in choosing a chairman. A number of participants had visited him, asking for "guidance".

"Some have asked for names," Hayono said.

Hayono's younger brother, Maulana Isman, was considered a possible contender in the chairmanship race. Hayono said he would support Maulana as a brother, not as a minister.

"As a state minister of youth affairs and sports, I will support all the candidates," he said.

Meanwhile, in the congress venue at the Haj Dormitory in Pondok Gede, East Jakarta, the competitive atmosphere intensified. Candidates and their supporters were seen soliciting support among participants.

Representatives of KNPI chapters from the 27 provinces have agreed to support only one person for the post in the election.

ABRI

Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung yesterday indicated where his support lay. He declined to name names, but said he would prefer candidates from two groups with close links to ABRI, the Communication Forum of Indonesian Ex-Servicemen's Children (FKPPI) and the Panca Marga Youth Organization.

"The great family of ABRI has candidates from the two organizations," Feisal said in response to questioning.

Reactions to Feisal's statement varied.

A. Bhaskara of the Nationalist Student Movement (GMNI) said Feisal's preference was tantamount to intervention. "Feisal's statement represented a setback to democratization," he told in a press conference.

Bhaskara was accompanied by chairman of the Union of Indonesian Islamic Students (PMII) Abubakar Refra and PMII secretary-general M. Rusdin, and Juno Lukito of the Christian Student Movement (GMKI).

The GMNI, the PMII and the GMKI are among the outspoken Cipayung group of major youth organizations, who are still willing to participate in the KNPI congress.

The Union of Catholic Students (PMKRI), has withdrawn from the congress and the powerful Moslem Students Association (HMI) was not represented at the press conference.

"Feisal's statement might influence candidates from other groups to withdraw from the race," Pircus Nurin, also of GMNI, said.

Bhaskara said the Cipayung group would walk out of the congress if participants acted as if Feisal's statement was an "obligation" they must meet.

Incumbent chairman Tubagus Haryono said Feisal's statement was more of a spontaneous response than an effort to meddle.

"FKPPI and PPM are KNPI members. They have the right to nominate their candidates," said Tubagus who said he would not seek re-election. (imn)