Local academics oppose Soewardi's reelection

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)