Selection system for VP urged

JAKARTA (JP): Three political figures called yesterday for the introduction of a formal system for constitutionally selecting the vice president.

Former home affairs minister Rudini suggested that "candidates should be nominated by the people through the bottom level of the regional legislative councils."

Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman suggested that nominations be made during the general assembly of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in March next year.

State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie also supported the idea of using the MPR to select candidates.

Rudini, who is also chairman of the Institute for Strategic Studies of Indonesia, an informal military think-tank, said it was logical for analysts to focus their attention on who the next vice president might be.

"People are free to express their opinions. Yet, their inputs should be channeled through the existing factions in the MPR," he said.

The five-yearly national leadership election is still one year away, yet people are already busy promoting candidates for the presidential and vice-presidential races.

The 1,000-strong MPR will be sworn in in October. Its members will meet in March next year to elect the president and vice president and establish the five-yearly state guidelines.

Rudini saluted the United Development Party (PPP) for implementing the bottom-up nomination principle .

PPP chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum said Wednesday that he would consider joining the vice-presidential race if the PPP central board made such a decision.

"The PPP central board will make a decision after the PPP branches and chapters have submitted all their opinions," Ismail said.

Rudini also saluted Golkar for forwarding criteria for the national leadership rather than mentioning the names of their candidates.

"We should become accustomed to establishing criteria rather than disputing names," he said.

Debate over the presidential nominations has been implicitly settled as support for Soeharto's renomination is becoming more and more widespread.

One of the most recent displays was announced last week when the Sulawesi Community for Harmony said it would ask the People's Consultative Assembly to reelect the 75-year old President.

In line with Rudini, Soesilo said individuals and groups were free to mention names of possible vice-presidential candidates.

"Everybody may suggest his or her own candidate. This is a democratic country.

"It is also good for the people's political education."

Soesilo declined to comment on certain candidates, who have been widely described as strong contenders for the vice- presidency.

These include State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie, State Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Hartono.

Speaking about the criteria for the vice-presidency, Soesilo said a candidate had to be able to cooperate with and complement the elected president.

Asked about his preference among the suggested candidates, Soesilo said the most important thing was the candidates' capability and acceptability among the people.

"It does not matter whether the candidates are young or old, and whether they are civilians or members of the Armed Forces," he said.

Habibie said yesterday that all debate on the vice presidential candidates should be confined to the MPR forum.

"Discussion of the presidency and vice-presidency should be discussed in the formal MPR general assembly next year," he said after installing five Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology officials yesterday.

In line with Soesilo, Habibie said the vice president should be able to cooperate with the elected president. (imn)

Editorial -- Page 4