Surjadi quits the race

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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