Sultan in political sporlight
Ridlo Aryanto, Contributor, Yogyakarta
Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X received a special gift when he celebrated the 14th anniversary of his ascension to the throne on Oct. 7.
The big surprise for Ngarsa Dalem, the honorific title that the residents of Yogyakarta use to address him, was the results of a poll conducted by the Center for Political Studies -- Sugeng Sarjadi Syndicates Jakarta -- which was released on Oct. 9.
The poll, on the search for the most suitable president in 2004, showed that the sultan of Yogyakarta, who is also the governor of the special province of Yogyakarta, topped the list of the 15 most favorite figures from political parties and independent public figures.
The poll was conducted between Sept. 11 and Sept. 17 of this year with questions put to 9,900 respondents in 14 major cities throughout Indonesia who were aged between 17 years and 25 years.
The respondents were interviewed on the phone. They were given 14 names of figures and asked to rate them according to seven categories, including intelligence, vision, governing capability, authority, honesty, morality and the potential of being involved in corruption, collusion and nepotism.
The 14 figures were divided into two sections: party representatives and nonpartisans. From the political parties, the alternatives were Megawati Soekarnoputri, Hamzah Haz, Amien Rais, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Jusuf Kalla and Ryaas Rasyid. Nonpartisans included the sultan, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Wiranto, Nurcholish Madjid, Syafii Maarif, Salahudin Wahid, Hasyim Muzadi and Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana.
The sultan, who is the former chief of Golkar's Yogyakarta chapter, came in with the highest total at 12.65 percent, and scored higher than Nurcholis Madjid who had a result of 11.82 percent, and even further ahead than Megawati, who trailed at 8.52 percent.
Was the sultan pleased with the poll results? "It's just a poll. I don't think I should make any comments on it. If the poll was conducted by another institution or another person, the results could have been different. To be honest, commenting on this poll would do me more harm than good," said Hamengku Buwono X, born Herjuno Darpito on March 6, 1946.
Why is that?
"Well, everything is not fixed yet as it depends on the leaders of the political parties that win the next general election. We have to wait until 2004. Meanwhile, politics keeps changing. I'm sure you know that," said the sultan.
It seems that Hamengku Buwono X, the eldest child of Hamengku Buwono IX and Hastungkoro, his consort, has learned a lesson from the past.
He recalled the political events evolving in the past general session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). Very close to the 1999 election, his name was frequently referred to by Golkar as a possible presidential candidate to replace Habibie. He also enjoyed public support. Thousands of Yogyakartans even held a grand rally in the northern square of the palace to express their support.
However, political reality took its own course. At the then general assembly of the MPR, Habibie was forced to step down because his accountability report was rejected. Golkar's stand on the presidential candidacy was split and Abdurrahman Wahid became the new president.
The sultan has since been forgotten in the national political arena.
However, he reentered the spotlight recently following the demand that Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung step down from his position as House speaker, after he was convicted of corruption charges.
Many hope that the sultan will step into Tandjung's shoes.
Is he interested in replacing Akbar? "Well, I am aware that there has never been any formal talk about this. I've also never talked to them about this. I'm not a member of the party anymore, am I?" he told The Jakarta Post.
One thing is clear, though. He commanded the respect of many for his cancellation of his planned trip to the U.S. in early October. His formal excuse was that he was busy in his role as governor with preparing for the provincial government's 2003-2004 budget. But many believe that he canceled the trip in protest over an allegation made last September by U.S. Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce, who said Yogyakarta was no longer a safe tourist destination.
To put things right, the U.S. consul general thought it necessary to explain the matter directly to the sultan.
Does he think he is still respected by foreigners? "It is not a matter of being offended -- far from it. Other people may have interpreted it as being that way. It's about how I build communication with foreigners. I take a confidence-building approach. I know foreigners trust individuals more than institutions," he said.
You would have to read between the lines if this remark implies he is hopeful that his foreign friends would support him if he wants to clinch the presidential position.