Roy to enter race for Jakarta governor

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle's (PDI Perjuangan) central board deputy chairman Roy B.B. Janis obtained an application form to run as a city gubernatorial candidate at the City Council on Tuesday.

"Roy, via one of his men, has obtained an application form for himself as a city governor candidate," Wawan, the council's employee said.

Roy, who was former chairman of the party's city chapter, was among 11 names that were nominated by the party's branches in its earlier meeting.

Tarmidi Suhardjo, the current chairman of the party's city chapter and deputy chairman of the City Council, picked up an application form on Monday.

The party's city chapter decided to propose Tarmidi as the sole candidate for city governor. The party has the largest membership in the council with 30 seats.

The party's chapter seemingly defied party chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri's support for incumbent City Governor Sutiyoso to be reelected in the gubernatorial election on Sept. 17.

Roy was reportedly the person who proposed Sutiyoso to Megawati's husband, Taufik Kiemas. The latter then proposed to Megawati.

Megawati allegedly believes Jakarta should be led by Sutiyoso, a retired army lieutenant general and former Jakarta Military Commander, for security reasons.

It is still unclear whether Roy, who is also the party's faction chairman at the House of Representatives, will really run for the election.

The party's votes were believed to be divided for several candidates, including Sutiyoso, Tarmidi and Roy.

The party's councillors have also taken forms, including Audi IZ. Tambunan and Dadang Hamdani.

More than 100 forms have been taken since registration began last week. However, most of the forms collected so far have been picked up by unknown candidates. -- JP