Politics, sports: It's all a game

JAKARTA (JP): Perhaps due to his enthusiasm for sports, People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais is eager to liken the presidential and vice presidential elections to sports matches.

"The match will feature two competitors," he said upon announcing the presidential candidates -- Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati Soekarnoputri -- on Wednesday.

When he announced the vice presidential candidates on Thursday, he said: "With four candidates contesting the election, I think the match will be interesting to watch."

Amien used to go for a jog after waking up in the morning, although his tight schedule now prevents him from enjoying a morning run.

Above all, Amien has proven he is a good player. Abdurrahman's road to the presidency allowed Amien to display his ability to dribble the ball and pass it to his teammate, who scored the goal. (amd)