Party defends Tutut's candidacy

Party defends Tutut's candidacy

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In response to earlier protests that Siti Hardiyanti "Tutut"
Rukmana's presidential nomination was solely based on the desire
to uphold New Order values, Chairman of the Concern for the
Nation Functional Party (PKPB) R. Hartono claimed that her
candidacy reflected the will of the people.

"There is no connection with the Cendana clique, no pressure
and no directions from them. (Former president) Soeharto can do
nothing and has difficulties to with communication," Antara
quoted Hartono as saying on Tuesday.

Tutut is the daughter of Soeharto and the Cendana clique
refers to the relatives of the Soeharto clan, which is based at
Jl. Cendana in Menteng.

He said the nomination by PKPB of Tutut was based on the
people's wishes and she was ready to be nominated simply because
she wanted to contribute something to the nation.

He said previously that Tutut's nomination was on the explicit
instructions of Soeharto. He also hit back at critics, calling
them "anti-Pancasila" for urging people not to cast their votes
for parties maintaining New Order's values

Pancasila is the 5-point state ideology embraced by Soeharto
and the New Order for 32 years.

Hartono was known to be quite loyal to Soeharto during the
latter's tenure and was quite close with Tutut when he was the
Army's chief of staff in 1997.

Hartono however said that Tutut, Soeharto's eldest daughter,
has yet to decide whether to accept the nomination or not.

He said he hoped his party would be one of the top-five after
the legislative election on April 5.

"PKPB is ready to bargain with other parties to make a
coalition in nominating a presidential candidate," he added.