MPR factions welcome Emil's vice presidency bid
JAKARTA (JP): Factions in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) welcomed yesterday some people's bid to have senior economist Emil Salim included in the vice presidential election next month, but considered the campaign a lesson in politics rather than a real challenge to their choice B.J. Habibie.
Senior Golkar executive Akbar Tanjung said the dominant political group could not bar Emil, who is also a Golkar cadre, from making such a bid, but the existing mechanism would hinder him.
"Of course the Assembly is still open to any motion on the vice presidency from the public, but it must be channeled through any of the five factions in the Assembly (rather than to the body in general)," Akbar said after presiding over an internal meeting prior to the Assembly's general session which starts on March 1 and lasts through March 11.
Golkar, the Armed Forces, the Regional Representatives, the United Development Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) factions have all nominated State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie as the running mate of incumbent President Soeharto for the 1998-2003 term of office.
The Assembly will elect the vice president after consulting the newly elected president during the general session.
Akbar said yesterday all Golkar representatives in the Assembly would sign their support for the nomination of the Soeharto-Habibie duo in letters to be enclosed when the faction formally presents their presidential and vice presidential candidates to the Assembly.
"It's a normal practice. We have applied it for quite a long time," said Akbar, who is State Minister of Public Housing.
He dismissed speculation that the practice would prevent Golkar legislators from voicing their dissent in the March elections.
"I always develop positive way of thinking. (I am confident) none of the Golkar cadres will break away from the organization's line," Akbar said.
Another Golkar member, Indra Bambang Utoyo, said Emil's chances appeared very slim, unless a faction dared to dissent and support the former cabinet minister.
"But it's difficult to imagine that a faction like Golkar will change its candidates," said Indra.
He admitted he had supported Emil's nomination, but said he could no longer do so after Golkar decided to pick Habibie.
A group of activists from various non-governmental organizations went to the PDI and regional representatives factions on two occasions this week. They announced that 3,000 people had signed their support for Emil, including Nelly Adam Malik and R. Karlina Wirahadikusumah -- the widow of late vice president Adam Malik and the wife of former vice president Umar Wirahadikusumah respectively.
The doyen of Indonesian economists, Soemitro Djojohadikusumo, has also supported Emil.
Indra said the mounting support for Emil's vice presidential candidacy represented a subtle protest from people who were disappointed with the Assembly factions' decisions.
"The presence of an opposition helps democracy to mature. In the future, we have to be ready to elect our national leaders through voting, without having to clash," Indra said.
The chairman of the Regional Representatives faction, Hasan Basri Durin, agreed with Indra that it was almost impossible for a faction to withdraw its nomination and propose another candidate.
Hasan said his faction would not refuse people's aspirations, including nominating Emil for the vice presidency, but added his team would stick to the organization's line.
The newly appointed chief of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto said yesterday there was nothing wrong with Emil's campaign for the vice presidency.
"As long as the campaign is conducted in a constitutional manner, why should we fuss?" he told reporters after attending the transfer of duty of the Armed Forces command from Gen. Feisal Tanjung to Gen. Wiranto. (imn/amd)