Lists of candidates submitted

Lists of candidates submitted

JAKARTA (JP): Golkar presented the names yesterday of its
candidates who will run for next year's general election, a list
that includes artists and ulemas; one which is usually more
closely associated with the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI),
and the other with the United Development Party (PPP).

PPP and PDI are also fielding a number of well-known ulemas in
another indication of the growing importance of Moslem votes.

In the lists, which were officially submitted to the General
Election Institute yesterday, there was also an unusually large
number of journalists fielded by all three contestants.

The lists were not made public because they are subject to
approval by the authorities. The candidates will have to undergo
screening, particularly to check if they had past links with the
outlawed Indonesian communist movement.

But officials of Golkar, PPP and PDI were more than willing to
discuss some of their candidates when they were approached by
journalists after the ceremony to present the lists.

Golkar, which is aiming for a victory with the biggest
landslide possible, has recruited Rano Karno, actor of the highly
popular TV series Si Doel Anak Sekolah, and Rhoma Irama, the king
of Dangdut music. Their presence in the Golkar pack is expected
to further widen the group's appeal in the election, which is
slated for May.

Golkar has also recruited Ali Yafie and Tuty Alawiyah, two
Moslem leaders with strong followings, and senior journalists
Ansel da Lopes from Kompas and Chris Kelana of RCTI.

"Besides well-known politicians and public figures, we are
also fielding artists and journalists as candidates," Golkar
chairman Harmoko told reporters.

"Every group -- from ulemas, intellectuals, educators, youths,
women and professional people -- is represented in the list," he
said.

PPP, traditionally the "ulemas' party", is also fielding some
well-known ulemas, including Hasyim Latief, Latief Mochtar,
Maemun Zubaer, Abdul Razak and Dimyati. It has recruited some
intellectuals, such as Mochtar Aziz, Chausyah and Qomari Anwar.

Two journalists in the PPP pack are Usyamah Hisyam of Media
Indonesia and Soelaiman Rasyid of Lampung Post.

The PDI list was presented by Soerjadi, chairman of the party
elected at the Medan congress in June. His rival board, under
Megawati Soekarnoputri, was not present at the ceremony, sparing
the election officials from potential embarrassment.

Representatives from Megawati turned up later at the General
Election Institute when the ceremony was over, but the list they
brought was rejected.

Soerjadi, who disclosed that he only completed the list on
Sunday night, said he tried to encompass every group and
profession in selecting his field.

The four journalists he recruited are reporters whose daily
beat is the House of Representatives: Elman Saragih of Media
Indonesia, Burma Siahaan of Sinar Pagi, Primadji of Berita Yudha
and Sulistyo of Wawasan. Soerjadi's list also boasts three well-
known ulemas: Fadloli Muhir, Farouk and Abdul Cholik Murod.

Missing from Soerjadi's list are names of politicians closely
associated with Megawati, including Kompas journalist Marcel
Beding, Taufik Kiemas, Guruh Soekarnoputri, Sabam Sirait, Aberson
Marle Sihaloho, Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno and Sukowaluyo.

Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M., in his capacity as
chairman of the General Election Institute, underlined the
importance of selecting candidates who understood the people's
aspirations.

"Aspirations continue to develop, as evident in the continuing
changes. Of course, we hope and endeavor that these changes are
not revolutionary," he said.

Golkar and PPP presented lists of 850, twice the number of
House of Representatives seats being contested at the election
and also the maximum number allowed by the authorities.

PDI handed a list of 903, reflecting Soerjadi's expectation
that some of these names would be vetted out by the Central
Inspection Committee, which screens all candidates.

Harmoko said all his candidates have undergone an internal
investigation. "This is to make the committee's job easier.
However, if the committee or other relevant bodies wish to
reexamine them, who knows? There might be new findings. Then, the
door is always open," he said.

Also present at the ceremony were government officials
assigned to the election institute, including Minister of Defense
and Security Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat, Armed Forces Chief Gen.
Feisal Tanjung, Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad, Minister of
Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave and Minister of
Home Affairs Yogie SM.

The screening begins today and will last until Oct. 31.
(mds/emb)

Rejection -- Page 2

Conflict -- Page 3