Race for Jakarta governor kicks off

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)