Rudini applauds decision to scrap VP selection team

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)