Students reject Soeharto's renomination

Students reject Soeharto's renomination

JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of Gadjah Mada University students
have rejected the renomination of President Soeharto for the
1998/2003 presidency.

A total 7,940 students, or 82.82 percent of 9,587 students
joining a poll which they called a "referendum", voted "no" last
week to the question of "Do you agree to the renomination of
Soeharto for the 1998/2003 presidency?"

A total 8,860 students, or 92.42 percent of the students
surveyed, voted in favor of the introduction of limited
presidential terms. The college has some 30,000 students.

Organizers argued that despite being held only among Gadjah
Mada students, the poll result was no less a portrait of
Indonesian students' political stance. The poll result was
discussed here yesterday at the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation
(YLBHI) office.

Former legislator Sabam Sirait and political observers Harun
Al Rasyid and Arbi Sanit hailed the poll result as "a reflection
of political aspirations of the 21st century generation".

The three were speakers in the discussion.

The dominant Golkar has officially nominated President
Soeharto for his seventh term, but the President has hinted he
will step aside and play a pundit role if not reelected.

The United Development Party, the Indonesian Democratic Party,
and the influential Armed Forces faction in the House of
Representatives have yet to announce their candidate for the next
presidency.

"We hope the result of this referendum can be used as a
political bargaining tool when (political parties) come to
discuss the issue of national leadership succession," the
students said.

The students also called on the People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR) -- who will be in charge of the presidential election next
March -- to consider the poll result in their deliberation.

Gadjah Mada University students have frequently conducted
similar polls. Some people, including the Minister of Education
and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro, have criticized student polls
for lacking scientific rigor. (aan)