Rudini applauds decision to scrap VP selection team

JAKARTA (JP): Political observer Rudini has applauded President Soeharto's decision to scrap the tradition of forming an extraparliamentary team to help him choose a vice president, saying it indicated improved democratization.

Rudini, a former home affairs minister who was once a member of such a team, said yesterday he believed that President Soeharto had made the decision out of awareness that Indonesians have become more conscious of their democratic rights.

Rudini, currently chairman of the informal military think tank, the Institute for Strategic Studies of Indonesia (LPSI), said the people's increasing political awareness could be observed from their spontaneous and transparent support for certain candidates' names for the presidency and vice presidency.

"People are free to announce their support for certain presidential and vice presidential candidates," he said.

"However, their support should be directed to any of the factions in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)."

Golkar leaders said Thursday that the special team was no longer relevant, and suggested that the MPR be given all the authority to nominate and elect the president and vice president.

President Soeharto used to set up a special team every time the Assembly renominated him for the presidency. The team, whose membership changes every time, selects and suggests vice presidential candidates.

The existence of the team has never been officially confirmed, but many have been aware of it since 1983, when Soeharto set up a five-member team to select candidates for the vice presidency. President Soeharto was reelected for his fourth consecutive term that year, while the elected vice president was Umar Wirahadikusumah.

A similar team of nine members was established in the 1988 presidential and vice presidential election. Soeharto was again reelected, while the vice president was Sudharmono, who chaired the 1983 screening team.

A team of 11 members, including Rudini, was established in 1993, when Soeharto was reelected for his sixth consecutive term. The elected vice president was Try Sutrisno.

President Soeharto has not yet been formally renominated for another term, as it would be the task of the MPR in its general assembly next March.

Golkar, however, has declared it will renominate Soeharto, obviously a guarantee for the latter's reelection as the political group enjoys the support of the Armed Forces and Regional Representatives factions.

The minority Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and the United Development Party (PPP) have yet to decide their stance, but observers say it is unlikely they will dissent.

Speaking on the appropriate number of candidates for the vice presidency, Rudini said the MPR should provide more than one candidate, whose names should be put in hierarchical order.

"It is only meant to provide the elected president with alternative candidates if he rejects the first nominee," he said. (imn)