Soeharto 'not likely to refuse renomination'

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)