Susilo lays low by Megawati's side

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

As the election draws close, political parties are now openly touting their possible presidential and vice presidential candidates in the hope of drumming up enough support to grab power.

The ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) added on Monday senior Muhammadiyah leader Malik Fadjar to its list of possible running mates of party standard-bearer Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Meanwhile, Crescent Star Party (PBB) chairman Yusril Ihza Mahendra revealed for the first time on Monday that he had approached Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as his running mate in the upcoming election.

"Don't ever discount the presence of Malik Fadjar; he is also among those tipped as a vice presidential candidate," senior PDI- P leader Taufik Kiemas said.

Earlier, Taufik had mentioned Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim Muzadi, Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung and United Development Party (PPP) chairman Hamzah Haz as potential running mates of Megawati.

"The most important thing is that these people share a common platform with PDI-P that is nationalist," said Taufik, who is also the husband of the incumbent, President Megawati.

Megawati, who took over the national leadership in July 2001, is seeking a new, full five-year mandate in the country's first- ever direct presidential election on July 5.

Her lackluster performance, especially in fighting the country's endemic corruption, has raised concern over whether the party will win the upcoming election.

The naming of Malik Fadjar, who serves as minister of national education, as a vice presidential candidate, is likely to divide the country's second-largest Muslim organization Muhammadiyah, which has thrown its support behind former chairman Amien Rais.

Should Megawati pick Hasyim as her running mate, the country's largest Muslim organization, Nadhlatul Ulama, is likely be torn between its chairman and former president Abdurrahman Wahid, who has been nominated by the National Awakening Party (PKB) as its presidential candidate. NU set up PKB ahead of the elections in 1999.

Taufik claimed that these names had been discussed by the PDI- P leadership and they are calculating which could boost the vote for Megawati.

While the naming of Malik Fadjar was clear, Yusril did not say outright that he wanted Susilo, who is his boss in Megawati's Gotong Royong cabinet, as his vice presidential candidate.

Yusril has been nominated as presidential candidate by PBB, while Susilo by the newly established Democratic Party (PD).

Yusril said preliminary talks had not determined who would be the presidential candidate.

"Yes, there have been some talks between PBB and him (Susilo) and his close aides. We will announce it to the public soon," he told the media after attending a House plenary meeting here.

His statement came just a day after PBB deputy secretary- general Abdul Kadir Lamanele said that the party would ask Susilo to be the vice presidential running mate of PBB leader Yusril in the presidential election scheduled for July 5.

Golkar, the country's second-largest party, is also in the process of selecting its presidential and vice presidential candidates.