President may allow ministers to campaign
JAKARTA (JP): President B. J. Habibie will most likely allow Cabinet ministers to join election campaigns under certain conditions, State Secretary/Minister Akbar Tandjung, who is also the chairman of Golkar party, hinted on Thursday.
"The President is preparing a government regulation which will arrange a leave of absence for ministers participating in election campaigns," Akbar told reporters.
He said Golkar had assigned several ministers to campaign for the ruling party between May 19 and June 4 and they would take leaves of absence to perform their party missions.
Among the ministers to join the Golkar campaign are Manpower Minister Fahmi Idris, Minister of Public Housing Theo Sambuaga, State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung Laksono, State Secretary/Minister Akbar Tandjung, Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Feisal Tanjung and Coordinating Minister for Public Welfare Haryono Suyono.
"But the Golkar board has issued a clear-cut ruling that bans ministers from using state facilities for their campaign activities. All the costs related to their electioneering activities will be borne by Golkar," Akbar asserted.
Separately, the Muslim-based United Development Party (PPP) decided on Thursday to wait for an edict on presidential candidates from its board of ulema.
PPP chairman Hamzah Haz said a two-day leadership meeting here selected several names as prospective presidential candidates, but the edict was required because of the party's reversion to its earlier Islamic basis.
"There are many figures within the party who fit the bill for the top post, so for sure we will not nominate people other than PPP cadres," Hamzah said.
But party executive A.M. Saefuddin named five PPP figures as top contenders for the presidency. He identified them as Hamzah, former PPP chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum, former secretary- general of the National Commission on Human Rights Baharuddin Lopa, PPP's Yogyakarta chief Alfian Darmawan and himself.
Hamzah said PPP would only unveil any names of candidates after the June 7 polls. He added the meeting concluded with the establishing of criteria for the next president.
"The candidates must be Muslims and this country's best people, with broad future vision and able to apply Islamic values," Hamzah said at the closing of the meeting here.
On whether the criteria extended to a female candidate, he said: "Let's wait for the edict from the ulema."
Hamzah, who is also state minister of investment, said he would welcome the party's support for his candidacy.
Ismail, who was Hamzah's predecessor, said his successor was "very qualified" and held the greatest chance of representing PPP in the race for the presidency. (edt/prb)