Surjadi quits the race

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja said yesterday he was unwilling to serve another term after his term ends Oct. 6.

"Jakarta is a very dynamic city. It now needs a fresh newcomer who has creative, innovative and imaginative ideas for development, which is occurring at a rapid pace," Surjadi said at a meeting with senior journalists of both electronic and print media.

Surjadi made the remarks in response to an official announcement by the City Council on June 2 about 12 proposed candidates for Jakarta's next governor.

The proposed candidates included Surjadi and City Council Speaker M.H. Ritonga, who also recently expressed his desire not to be a candidate.

The ten remaining candidates for governor include, among others, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso, former Jakarta military commander Lt. Gen. A.M. Hendropriyono, chairman of Golkar city chapter Tadjus Sobirin, Army Territorial Center chief Maj. Gen. Adang Ruchiatna P. and former deputy governor of administrative affairs Edi M. Nalapraya.

"I just want to express my gratitude to those who proposed me, but I'm very sorry I can't meet their expectations," Surjadi said.

He explained that he had consulted with members of his family about his decision. "My governorship term of five years is the longest of my 35-year career. Previously I only held certain posts, at the most, for two years at a time," he said.

Surjadi expressed fear that if his term was extended for another five years, he would be trapped into routine activities.

"I'll say that I'm unwilling to be proposed again if the City Council asks me about the proposal," he said.

He said that in his life he never dreamed of becoming a governor. "But as soon as I was chosen as one, I fully dedicated my life as best as I could for that position."

"As a result many goals have been achieved, but many other shortcomings still need to be handled," he said.

Surjadi said that he already filed a letter of resignation with the President through Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. in March, seven months before the end of his term in October.

New council members will screen all proposed candidates in the next stage based on required criteria.

The new council members will be officially installed on July 18, the same day the term of current members ends.

The new councilors will later consult with the minister of home affairs to choose nominees, whose number will be reduced to between three and five.

The nominees should receive President Soeharto's approval before a selection is made for Jakarta's next governor.

Yesterday's meeting, which was sponsored by the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) city chapter, was also attended by Sutiyoso and other senior journalists, including Jakob Oetama, Rosihan Anwar and Tarman Azzam, chairman of PWI's city chapter.

At the meeting, the governor also gave life-insurance policies to several journalists, including veteran journalist S.K. Trimurti who represented the other recipients. (hhr)

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