Public call for reelection of Soeharto grows

Public call for reelection of Soeharto grows

UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): Governor Maj. Gen. (ret)
HZB Palaguna has stood by local figures' recent bid to seek
President Soeharto's reelection in 1998.

Palaguna said last week that people in his province still
needed Soeharto, who has been in power for 30 years, to ensure
sustainable development.

"All South Sulawesi people want to see the People's
Consultative Assembly reelect Pak Harto in 1998," the governor
told journalists here last week.

Palaguna was commenting on the March 9 resolution by 10,000
South Sulawesi migrants in Jakarta in which they urged the
People's Consultative Assembly to reelect Soeharto.

Key figures behind the resolution were Logistic Agency chief
Bedu Amang, State Minister for Research and Technology B.J.
Habibie, Deputy House Speaker Achmad Amirrudin and business
tycoons A.A. Baramuli and Tanri Abeng.

The pledge was the latest in support of the President's
reelection. More than 20 organizations, mostly affiliated with
the dominant political group Golkar, have swung their support
behind Soeharto.

Palaguna said all regents across South Sulawesi were
determined to urge the people's assembly to prolong Soeharto's
mandate for another five years.

"But most of them choose to remain silent because they want to
see the (May 29) election and wait for the assembly to convene in
March 1998 before they raise their aspirations," he said.

South Sulawesi leaders say Soeharto deserves another term of
office because they believe he can save the nation from numerous
political upheavals and develop the economy.

In their March 9 resolution, they said Soeharto had
successfully lifted Indonesia's dignity and standing in the
international community. (pan)