'KNPI free to elect its chairman'
'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)