Respect, jokes the key to serving Soeharto

JAKARTA (JP): Outgoing Vice President Try Sutrisno gave his advice yesterday on how to serve President Soeharto well: never try to outshine him and never run out of clean jokes to amuse him with.

Try, who gained respect last week when he refused to be renominated for a second term for democracy's sake, told his secret during a rare luncheon with presidential palace journalists at his residence on Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta.

Acclaimed for his low profile, Try described President Soeharto as the "ship's captain" whose authority should not be disturbed.

"A room cannot have two lamps in the way there is only one sun for the whole earth," he said when journalists asked him how he placed himself in relation to the President.

One of his aides said Try, a one-time Armed Forces commander, was very concerned about how to maintain a low profile, including in selecting guests to entertain.

Try, Soeharto's fifth deputy since he ascended the presidency in 1968, said last week he was "unwilling" to be renominated for the prestigious post because none of his predecessors served a second term.

"I want to continue the tradition that a vice president serves only one term," he said.

Observers noted that his statement came "too late" because he made it only after all the five factions in the People's Consultative Assembly had chosen B.J. Habibie as his successor.

The Indonesian Democratic Party is the only political faction which included Try on its list of presidential candidates before it eventually dropped his name.

In 1993 many observers speculated that Try would play a more crucial role due to Soeharto's age. However Soeharto's excellent health and strong Armed Forces and popular support have proved them wrong.

Try has served Soeharto since he was the President's adjutant from 1974 to 1978.

"Pak Harto loves jokes. I told him jokes especially during his spare time. But of course not dirty jokes," he said.

Try said he invited journalists to yesterday's lunch to show that his wife, Tuti Setyawati Sutrisno, is a terrific cook.

"She is the best cook I have ever met," he said.

When asked about his ambitions after retiring from the vice presidency, he replied: "I will work as a security guard for my wife who manages a social foundation and a school". (prb)