Statement on opposition to Habibie sparks speculation

Statement on opposition to Habibie sparks speculation

JAKARTA (JP): A recent statement by a close presidential
advisor that President B.J. Habibie's strongest opposition in a
presidential election bid would come from within Golkar's own
ranks has triggered speculation from political observers.

"Habibie's main competitor for president (for the next term)
is not Megawati Soekarnoputri, but from within Golkar itself,"
Dewi Fortuna Anwar was quoted by Panji Masyarakat as saying in a
seminar organized by the prestigious National Resilience
Institute (Lemhannas) early this month.

Observers have since trained their focus on Golkar's soft-
spoken chairman, Akbar Tandjung, who is also minister/state
secretary. Akbar has been active in Golkar since former president
Soeharto came to power in 1967.

The party that garners the most votes in the upcoming general
election in May theoretically will have a great opportunity to
lead the country or at least to play a key role in the next
government.

A reliable source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said
Habibie's camp had become more aware of Akbar's political power.

"Unlike Pak Harto, Pak Habibie does not have a direct line of
command with Golkar's leadership," the official said on Saturday.

Habibie has always given vague answers when asked whether he
would seek to run in the presidential election in December next
year.

The official said it was natural for Habibie's camp to prepare
for the election.

The names of officials regarded as Habibie's inner circle now
include Minister of Cooperatives Adi Sasono, secretary of
development operations Lt. Gen. (ret) Sintong Panjaitan and his
close confidants Jimly Ashshiddique and Ahmad Watik Pratiknya.

For decades Soeharto acted as the chief of Golkar's board of
patrons and was able to fully control the dominant political
grouping through a veto power over all its affairs.

In its extraordinary congress in July, Golkar abolished the
board of patrons. Habibie, who was then the board's coordinator,
endorsed Akbar in his race to defeat Gen. (ret) Edi Sudradjat, a
Soeharto favorite, for Golkar's chairmanship.

Akbar is known as a savvy politician who has rarely burned his
bridges with other major political figures.

"Akbar can play at least the role of kingmaker because Golkar
will likely garner a sufficient number votes in the next
election," an official said.

It means even if a coalition government has to be formed,
Akbar's position would be stronger than Habibie's, he added.

Akbar has repeatedly said he would not resign from the
Cabinet, arguing that President Habibie himself had asked him to
stay on despite his tight schedule as Golkar chairman.

Dewi's announcement on Friday that she would serve as a
presidential spokeswoman when called on to do so by the
President, however, has sparked new speculation over Akbar's fate
in the Cabinet since the serving minister/state secretary
traditionally acts as the president's chief spokesperson.

"She is not a presidential spokesperson," Akbar said on
Friday. He acknowledged that he had instructed Dewi, his
assistant on foreign affairs, to act as alternate spokesperson
when he was too busy.

Dewi, a senior political scientist, also confirmed Akbar's
statement on Friday.

Having long acted as Habibie's advisor on diplomatic affairs,
Dewi has practically arranged all of Habibie's interviews with
the foreign press.

Akbar accompanies the President in receiving important guests
at the Bina Graha presidential office or at Merdeka Palace.

"They like and need each other," a Palace official said. (prb)