Race for Jakarta governor kicks off

JAKARTA (JP): Former Jakarta Military Commander Lt. Gen. A.M. Hendropriyono has been proposed as candidate for the next Jakarta Governor alongside current Governor Surjadi Soedirdja.

The United Development Party (PPP) faction at City Council proposed both Hendropriyono and Surjadi for the next governor, while the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and the Armed Forces (ABRI) factions proposed Surjadi's reelection.

Golkar has not yet named its candidate.

Hendro, as Hendropriyono is popularly known, was installed as secretary for development supervision and operation in January, with the task of assisting President Soeharto in supervising development programs.

He served as Jakarta military commander from 1993 to 1994.

Hendro, 52, was then appointed to head the Army Training School in Bandung before becoming the secretary of development supervision and operation.

PPP's city-branch deputy chairman, Saud Rachman, said yesterday the decision to propose both Hendropriyono and Surjadi, 58, had yet to be forwarded to City Council Speaker M.H. Ritonga.

He said PPP was still waiting for the names of other candidates proposed by the public until the June 20 deadline.

Ritonga had said earlier the public could propose names through factions or directly to him.

Saud explained PPP's proposal for Surjadi's reelection because of his success in developing the city and his ability to maintain neutrality during the general election.

"He (Surjadi) was consistent in implementing his policies. He didn't take sides with certain contestants and didn't make Jakarta 'yellow' as other provinces did," Saud said.

Among other things, he was referring to Central Java Governor Suwardi, whose policies in painting public facilities yellow, angered local campaign contestants.

Hendro, Saud said, had been proposed to fill the position because he was a former chief of Jakarta Military Command.

"He (Hendro) was once a city official and he was knowledgeable about the municipality and its problems. Besides, his approach to people was considered good," Saud said.

Hendro held a "coffee break" every week to meet different groups.

Chairman of the council's ABRI faction, Nawadji, said his faction had received suggestions from the public for Surjadi's reelection. He declined, however, to identify the people.

"Until now we have only received one name proposed as next governor and we're still waiting for more," Nawadji said.

He said that Surjadi, who also served as Jakarta Military Commander from 1988 to 1990, deserved to be reelected as governor for his accomplishments during his term, which ends on Oct. 6.

"His accomplishments would even make it possible for him to be appointed as President Soeharto's aide," Nawadji said, referring to a position equivalent to a minister.

Chairman of PDI Lukman F. Mokoginta said his faction supported Surjadi's reelection as Jakarta governor even though support had yet to be official.

He said PDI would name other candidates after holding a meeting and after receiving suggestions from the public.

When asked whether PDI had asked for Surjadi's willingness to be reelected, Lukman said, "We haven't consulted him yet. But so far he has not voiced either rejection or willingness."

The reelection proposal is unusual as no governors have been reelected since Ali Sadikin in 1971.

Chairman of Golkar Soegijo said his faction had not decided on a candidate because they were still waiting for additional suggestions.

"I urge people to propose their candidates to our faction as soon as possible," he said.

Both Surjadi and Hendropriyono had earlier refused to comment on reports which named them as Jakarta governor candidates.

A 1974 government regulation stipulates that a governor may serve a second five-year term.

Surjadi has already filed a letter of resignation to President Soeharto through Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. in March.

Proposed candidates, which must be a minimum of three and a maximum of four people, should meet all requirements set by the Ministry of Home Affairs before being officially nominated.

The council will consult the Minister of Home Affairs on the list of candidates before handing it to the President for approval.

Basic requirements for a governor include, among other things, loyalty to both the state ideology Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, loyalty to the country and the government and never being directly or indirectly involved in activities which endanger the country, the state ideology or the Constitution. (ste)