Saefuddin reiterates presidential ambitions

Saefuddin reiterates presidential ambitions

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Food and Horticulture A.M.
Saefuddin reiterated his ambition on Wednesday to become the
country's next president and made light of the abilities of
possible rival Megawati Soekarnoputri of the splintered
Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).

Saefuddin, representing the United Development Party (PPP) in
the Cabinet, expressed confidence that he would be able to gain
enough support during his campaign. He believed that even
President B.J. Habibie himself would support him.

"I am ready. It is not a problem if I win or lose," the
minister said before attending a monthly Cabinet meeting on
economic affairs at the Bina Graha presidential office.

Saefuddin made it clear that he would fight to be elected PPP
chairman to pave the way for a presidential bid.

If elected PPP chairman, he said he would prefer to form a
coalition with Habibie rather than Golkar.

He cited several major agendas he would focus on should he
become the country's leader, including the promotion of small
businesses, upholding human rights and the revision of Armed
Forces' (ABRI) roles.

"Does Megawati have the guts to revamp ABRI's role?" he asked
journalists.

He challenged other presidential aspirants to public debates
using not only the Indonesian language but also other foreign
languages.

"The next president must be a global champion," he said,
adding that he was able to communicate fluently in English and
German.

Saefuddin, known as a humorous professor of agriculture, said
Golkar would not be able to win enough votes in next year's
election because its image had been totally tarnished.

"Habibie is not identical with Golkar. Habibie is not a member
of its executive board. His position is only as a (Golkar)
member," he said when explaining why he would choose the
President as a possible partner.

Saefuddin has made the challenge to Megawati and the other
notable aspirant, National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Amien
Rais, earlier this week. No response has emerged from either of
the two figures so far.

Amien himself has recently delivered the same invitation to a
public debate to Megawati. (prb)