PKP to nominate Edi for president

BANDUNG (JP): The newly established Justice and Unity Party (PKP), hinted on Wednesday it would nominate chairman Gen. (ret) Edi Sudradjat, who was former minister of defense and former Armed Forces commander, as its presidential candidate.

In a meeting with party supporters, when Chairman of PKP West Java chapter Tjetje Hidayat Padmadinata asked whether Edi or Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung would be the best candidate, hundreds yelled in response: "Edi!".

The Justice and Unity Party was established by Golkar dissenters, including Edi and former state minister of sports and youth affairs Hayono Isman.

Accompanied by Sarwono Kusumaatmadja -- a former Golkar secretary-general and minister -- Edi attended the inauguration of the party's West Java chapter and its 26 regency branches on Wednesday.

Tjetje later told journalists the party would formally name its candidate only after the June 7 general election.

Edi said he was ready to contest the presidential election in November. "We have a journey ahead of us. We'll contest (the election) first; its outcome will determine (our next step). If nominated, of course one has to accept," he said.

The future leader must be trustworthy, Edi added.

Besides Edi, incumbent President B.J. Habibie, ABRI Commander Gen. Wiranto, popular opposition figures Amien Rais, Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid and Megawati Soekarnoputri are the country's hot presidential nominees.

The impending nomination of Habibie, however, has been the most controversial selection.

On Wednesday, new support for Habibie came from South Sulawesi's capital of Ujungpandang, the President's hometown.

Antara reported that the Golkar-affiliated Youth Renewal Generation of Indonesia (AMPI) organization had endorsed the nomination of Habibie for president with Wiranto for the deputy position.

According to AMPI local chairman Anas Genda, both figures had "proven abilities and compatibility".

In contrast, deputy chairman Said Khusairi of the Muslim Awakening Party, criticized Golkar's choice because "everyone knows that (Habibie) is a protg of former president Soeharto".

"Can he become a true reformist? It would be wise if Habibie remains a transitional figure before the nation's free and fair election," Said added. (43)