Soeharto 'not likely to refuse renomination'

JAKARTA (JP): Politicians and observers said that despite expressing humility toward Golkar's support for presidential renomination, it is unlikely that Soeharto will refuse the candidacy.

Chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council Sudomo and his deputy Suhardiman both maintained yesterday that Soeharto's remarks did not indicate any sort of rejection toward Golkar's desire to renominate him.

"It was not a signal of his rejection of Golkar's request. He only wanted Golkar and the people to remain constitutional in decision making," Sudomo said.

Suhardiman concurred saying that when the time comes, Soeharto would accept the renomination.

"In my opinion, Soeharto will still accept the request if the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) asks him again," Suhardiman said adding that the statement showed Soeharto's wisdom as a statesman.

They claimed that Soeharto's statement merely exemplified his democratic nature.

Addressing a reception celebrating the 33rd anniversary of Golkar Sunday, Soeharto urged the dominant faction to find out whether the people really supported his renomination for the 1998/2003 presidential term.

Soeharto said he would willingly step aside if the people choose another candidate.

Members of the 1,000-strong People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) will convene next March to elect a president and vice president and endorse the Broad Guidelines of the 1998/2003 State Policies.

If reelected, Soeharto will serve his seventh presidential term.

Suhardiman argued that Soeharto's willingness to accept presidential renomination was already evident when he asked legislative candidates in August to reintroduce an MPR decree which would grant the president authority to take preemptive security measures against subversive activities.

Sudomo noted that Soeharto must have realized that some people would disagree with his renomination and so he wanted to be sure of the people's approval for such a supreme state position.

"It shows that Pak Harto is simple and democratic," Sudomo, whose council reports to the president on state policies, told reporters after being named a Golkar senior member in a ceremony at the organization's secretariat in Slipi, West Jakarta, yesterday.

Golkar

Golkar chief Harmoko stressed yesterday that Soeharto made no mention of his unwillingness to be renominated.

"I did not hear a single word from the President indicating that he rejected Golkar's decision," said Harmoko who is also speaker of the MPR and the House of Representatives.

Harmoko formally announced at Sunday's ceremony that Golkar would renominate Soeharto in the presidential election.

Harmoko's opinion was echoed by his deputy, Abdul Gafur.

Both said the Golkar central board would not withdraw its proposal but continue to forward the decision to the MPR general meeting.

Deputy House Speaker of the Armed Forces (ABRI) faction, Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid, resonated the positive responses toward Soeharto's statement.

"It shows that he is humble. For ABRI there will be no problem with his renomination, it is only a matter of time and formality.

"We can say this is political education from Pak Harto. It covers many aspects, including morals. Not many people would talk openly like him," he said.

Susilo Utomo of the Semarang-based Diponegoro University in Central Java said Soeharto would not encounter any reelection difficulties.

"Soeharto is still uncontested for presidency. He has achieved much in politics, economics and social affairs, which the world also recognizes," he said.

But Susilo urged Golkar and other politicians to carefully take note of the president's statement and comprehend his overall intent.

"The President wants a regeneration in state leadership. And it will be his prerogative whether to accept or reject the proposal," he said.

Ichlasul Amal of Yogyakarta's Gadjah Mada University said Soeharto's statement indicated that Golkar had misunderstood the President's intentions.

"Golkar failed to interpret Soeharto's statement that he wanted liberalization in the presidential election," he said. "But Golkar could not read these signs."

Fellow Gadjah Mada University political scientist, Riswandha Imawan, said Soeharto's statement showed his desire to make the nation more mature.

"Pak Harto's statement was a reminder that MPR's task is to select, not merely appoint a president," he said. (imn/har/23)