PKP to nominate Edi for president

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)