Observers contemplate Habibie's new appoitnment

Observers contemplate Habibie's new appoitnment

JAKARTA (JP): Observers are unable to agree on whether the
appointment of State Minister of Research and Technology B.J.
Habibie as coordinator of Golkar's board of patrons is any
indication of his chances at the vice presidency.

Political observer Arbi Sanit sees this latest development as
a "beneficial factor" if Habibie joins the race for the vice
presidency and that his opportunities remain open.

"Habibie's newly appointed Golkar post is a strategic
position, mainly for the construction of the next cabinet and the
House of Representatives (DPR)," Arbi told The Jakarta Post by
phone.

"The position of coordinator of the board of patrons is more
important than the Golkar chairmanship," he said.

The secretary-general of the Association of Indonesian Moslem
Intellectuals, Adi Sasono, said on Saturday in Surabaya, East
Java, that Habibie had been appointed coordinator of the Golkar
board of patrons.

While there are no official candidates for the vice
presidency, Habibie's name has been touted as a leading candidate
along with incumbent Try Sutrisno, State Minister of Special
Assignments Harmoko, State Minister of National Development
Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Minister/State Secretary
Moerdiono and Minister of Information R. Hartono.

Arbi said Habibie's appointment as coordinator of Golkar's
board of patrons also dismissed speculation of his deteriorating
relationship with President Soeharto.

"However, it would depend on Habibie himself whether he is
willing to use his 'position' for his own benefit or not," he
said.

"And I don't know whether Habibie will make use of his
position or not," Arbi remarked.

Despite Arbi's optimism, political observer Suhardiman said
Habibie's new position was no guarantee of an easy journey to the
country's second top position.

"In practice, leading figures of the Golkar faction in the
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) are the ones who will play
the most important and influential role during the presidential
and vice presidential nomination and election," he said.

He said a coordinator did not have direct control over the
Golkar's Assembly faction.

"It is the chairman of Golkar's board of patrons who has
direct control over the Golkar faction in the Assembly," he said.

"Moreover, the decision on the next vice president will mainly
rest on the elected president," he added.

The 1,000-strong MPR will be sworn in in October. Its members
will meet in March next year to elect a president and a vice
president and establish the five-year state guidelines. (imn)