Susilo nominated for president

Susilo nominated for president

From Koran Tempo

The Democrats Party has nominated Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, as a presidential candidate for 2004 election.

The party has come to this decision in view of Yudhoyono's nationalism, religiosity, pluralist views and humanism, qualities allowing him to solve all conflicts now sweeping Indonesia.

As Yudhoyono is one of the initiators of the Democrats Party, it is understandable why the party has nominated him as a presidential candidate. Then, given that he usually impresses us as a considerate and wise person, there is nothing wrong with this nomination.

It is still a common practice in this country that certain government officials from a political party still maintain their attachment with their party so that it is not clear whether their activities are carried out in their capacity of government officials or as party members. Obviously, this situation leads to a conflict of interest, a condition which may later trigger irregularities.

Therefore, in the case of the nomination of Yudhoyono as a presidential candidate, he must decide whether to remain in office and reject the nomination or run for the presidency and quit his office. In this way, he will serve as a role model for other government bureaucrats.

IBNU SUTRISNO Jakarta