Number of proposed governor candidates drops to eight
Number of proposed governor candidates drops to eight
JAKARTA (JP): The number of proposed candidates for Jakarta's
next governor now drops from 12 to only eight as another
candidate has joined the wagon and decided not to be a candidate.
Deputy Governor of Economic and Development Affairs Tb.M.
Rais, one of three civilian candidates announced by the City
Council last Wednesday, said on Monday he was unwilling to be a
candidate.
"Without ignoring those who have nominated me, I think I know
my own abilities. Jakarta is huge and strategic. There are many
other people who are much better than me," Rais said.
Three proposed candidates who earlier withdrew from the
candidate list include incumbent Governor Surjadi Soedirdja,
former Jakarta military commander A.M. Hendropriyono and Council
Speaker M.H. Ritonga.
Former Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin said yesterday that there
was no problem for Surjadi's reelection because existing
regulations allow a governor to remain in office for two terms.
"Regulation No. 5/1974 on provincial government guidelines
sets the governorship term of office at five years and can be
extended for another five years," Sadikin said at a ceremony
commemorating his 71st birthday.
"If the governor has made good progress, why does he not want
to be reelected?" he asked. "Moreover, Surjadi was number one on
the list, followed by Hendropriyono and Jakarta Military
Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso," he said.
When Sadikin was further asked about Surjadi's reluctance to
be reelected, he just said Surjadi would probably be promoted to
another high-ranking position.
After the withdrawal of four candidates, the remaining eight
are Sutiyoso, chairman of Golkar's city office Tadjus Sobirin,
chief of the Army Territorial Center Maj. Gen. Adang Ruchiatna P,
former deputy governor of government affairs Edi M. Nalapraya,
legislator Achmadi, legislator HR Agung Laksono, City Secretary
Harun Al Rasyid and Deputy Governor of Administrative Affairs
Idroes.
Sutiyoso, who has lately been described in the press as one of
the strong candidates for next Jakarta governor, said on Monday
he would not make any statement before one by his superior, Armed
Forces Chief General Feisal Tanjung.
"I've never said that I would accept the offer because the
Armed Forces chief has not yet said anything about my next
assignment," he said.
Speaking to reporters after taking part in a military exercise
at Army Special Forces (Kopassus) Cijantung headquarters in East
Jakarta, Sutiyoso said he was still an active military officer,
whose next assignment would mainly depend on the chief's
decision.
He, however, did not deny the possibility of being assigned to
a government position, saying that it would again depend on the
Armed Forces chief.
Sutiyoso still has two more years in the military before he
reaches a mandatory retirement age of 55 in December 1999.
(ste/imn)