'Mbak' Tutut seen as unlikely VP
JAKARTA (JP): Political analyst Arbi Sanit discounted yesterday the chances of Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, President Soeharto's eldest daughter, becoming the next vice president.
The University of Indonesia lecturer of political science told The Jakarta Post that he could not see Hardiyanti, popularly known as Mbak (older sister) Tutut, or any other woman gaining the number-two position in 1998.
Given the challenges awaiting in the next century, the country needed a strong figure with plenty of government experience to accompany the incumbent Soeharto from 1998 to 2003, Arbi said.
"A vice president must be ready to take over the presidential jobs anytime," he said.
Arbi was commenting on calls by some individuals and organizations that Mbak Tutut, deputy chairwoman of the ruling political group Golkar and a successful businesswoman, be nominated for vice president in 1998.
"She has yet to prove her political talent," he said.
Golkar Secretary-General Ary Mardjono has said the organization will look into the suggestion when it begins deliberating nominations for vice president.
Apart from business and politics, the 48-year-old Mbak Tutut is a patron of community and sports organizations. She chairs the Indonesian Volleyball Association.
Her public profile rose this week after a series of highly publicized meetings with supporters of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country's largest socioeducational Islamic organization, in Central and East Java.
NU Chairman Abdurrahman Wahid, who accompanied her at the meetings, described her as a "future public figure".
Arbi said he was betting on senior military officers or government officials close to Soeharto to be the next vice president.
"There are more deserving candidates than Mbak Tutut. She should be given more exposure by entering the next cabinet or House of Representatives before running for the crucial post," Arbi said.
He cited State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie as a strong candidate.
Other names that have cropped up include Golkar chairman and information minister Harmoko, Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono and Minister of Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita.
Soeharto is the only candidate for the presidency, despite his remarks this week that people who nominate him should consider his age. The President turns 76 in June.
Arbi speculated that growing demand for democracy would dent Mbak Tutut's chances of becoming vice president, because it smacked of nepotism.
"Democracy, as a consequence of the global changes now sweeping the world, will discourage nepotism," Arbi said.
Nepotism was inconsistent with the objectives of the free trade era, he said.
"Democracy is needed to sow competition within a country. This in turn will enhance Indonesia's competitive edge," Arbi said.
The next vice president should accommodate democratic ideas, he said. "I prefer a civilian, whom I believe would be more open to democratic changes than a military figure."
Arbi said the public should be given some minimum assurances from the vice presidential candidates that they nominate in 1998. "Why don't we try to lend support to a candidate that meets a minimum condition, say a guarantee to improve democracy," he said.
Another condition would be a guarantee to strengthen the People's Consultative Assembly to control the government, he said.
A formal and more democratic process of finding future leaders was needed, he said. A candidate had to pass leadership tests in mass and political organizations, before moving into the nation's elite circle. (amd)