Local academics oppose Soewardi's reelection
SEMARANG (JP): A group of local academics has rejected outright the proposal to reelect Central Java Governor Soewardi, who was busy yesterday refuting allegations that he set up a team and furnished it with Rp 18 billion (US$2.25 million) to ensure his reelection.
The social and political scientists, all lecturers at state- run Diponegoro University, charged that Soewardi consistently ignored the aspirations of local people in many of his policies during his tenure from 1993-1998.
The same opposition was voiced yesterday by the provincial branch of the Generation 1945 Council, an organization of former independence fighters. They said Central Java needed a new leader with strong leadership characteristics of carefulness, persistence and wisdom.
Soewardi's term is due to end in August, and it has been the tradition of many governors to occupy the post for two five-year terms.
"We call on the provincial legislative council to choose anyone else but Soewardi," the academics said in a statement.
They cited several of Soewardi's policies, including the construction of a luxurious Rp 7 billion official residence, despite criticism from various quarters, which has not been of much use.
Soewardi was also criticized for his "yellowization" program, in which all public facilities and even residential houses were painted yellow last year, a move that was seen by many as tacit campaigning for the ruling Golkar, whose color is yellow.
Soewardi has reiterated he was not seeking reelection, but would gladly take up the post again if the provincial population -- through the legislative council -- wanted him.
"It's not true that I spent Rp 18 billion just so I could be reelected for the 1998-2993 term," Soewardi was quoted by Antara as saying yesterday. "Where would I get the money? (If I had), it would be better if the money was used to improve people's welfare.
"The allegations were made by parties who dislike me or are standing politically against me and my policies," he said, without elaborating.
The news agency said Soewardi enjoyed the backing of businesspeople, and that the team's task was to persuade the community to have the governor reelected.
Allegations and counter-allegations marking gubernatorial elections; before Soewardi, particular officials of North Sumatra province were accused of greasing their candidate's way to the top.
Among the reasons for the controversies that almost invariably mark gubernatorial elections is the widely held perception that a governor is virtually a "king" of the province, in a position that entails not only power but also leaves lucrative business opportunities at his disposal.
West Java and Aceh legislative councils have just reelected R. Nuriana and Syamsuddin Mahmud, while North Sumatra, East Kalimantan and East Nusa Tenggara have proposed several candidates to Minister of Home Affairs R. Hartono to be brought to President Soeharto for approval.
Five other provinces -- Central Java, East Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara and South Sumatra -- are already busy seeking appropriate candidates as the current governors' terms expire in August and September.
Military
Odds-on favorite candidates are those with an Armed Forces (ABRI) background.
Former chief of the Northern Sumatra Regional Military Command, Maj. Rizal Nurdin, is considered the top candidate for North Sumatra governor to replace Lt. Gen. (ret) Radja Inal Siregar next month after the ABRI, Golkar and Indonesian Democratic Party factions of the provincial council endorsed his nomination.
Besides Rizal, the provincial council has received the names of several other high-ranking military officers, including Maj. Gen. Syamsir Siregar, former chief of ABRI's intelligence Agency, Maj. Gen. ATS. Siagian and Maj. Gen. T. Pakpahan, to be nominated as gubernatorial candidates.
The Central Java provincial council has received the names of six candidates. They are Maj. Gen. Sudiyono PS, former chief of the Mental Development Center of the ABRI headquarters in Jakarta; Maj. Gen. Mardiyanto, an assistant to the chief of ABRI's Sociopolitical Affairs; Maj. Gen. Djoko Subroto, governor of the Army Academy in Magelang; Maj. Gen. Setyana; Soetrisno Suharto, Semarang mayor; Minister of Justice Muladi, and outgoing governor Soewardi.
Soewardi's term of office will end in August this year.
Meanwhile, at least six two-star generals, including incumbent governor Basofi Sudirman, and two civilians have been named as potential candidates for East Java.
The generals are Imam Utomo, Harris Sudarno, Sutarto, Farid Zainuddin, Erie Sudewo and Basofi.
Many have observed that Basofi will likely be reelected as several projects of his are still pending, including the hosting of the 19th National Sports Games in September 2000, of which he is the chief organizer. (rms/nur/har/21)