Sultan in political sporlight

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.