Susilo, Rachma among PAN's nine VP nominees

Susilo, Rachma among PAN's nine VP nominees

Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi

The National Mandate Party (PAN) is in the process of selecting
the running mate for its presidential candidate Amien Rais from
nine leading figures, most of whom are politicians or religious
leaders.

The nominees are Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare
Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security
Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Minister of Transportation Agum
Gumelar, Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Hasyim Muzadi, former state
minister of public housing Siswono Yudhohusodo, Yogyakarta
Governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, Pioneer Party chairwoman
Rachmawati Soekarnoputri (sister of President Soekarnoputri),
secretary-general of the National Awakening Party Syaifullah
Yusuf and Golkar politician Marwah Daud Ibrahim.

PAN chairman Amien said the party would decide upon just one
by the conclusion of its national meeting here on Wednesday.

"I already have my preferred candidate in my mind, but I will
not disclose that now as I have not contacted the person yet. I'm
afraid we will offend the figure if we do not use a careful
approach," Amien said after the opening ceremony on Monday
evening.

Amien said it would be up to the party's provincial chapters
to select the vice presidential candidate.

The party's presidential and vice presidential candidates will
be given free rein to form their campaign team, who will be
tasked with publicizing and disseminating the party's position on
political issues to attract voters.

Susilo, who was here to speak at a seminar, refused to comment
on his possible nomination.

"I do not understand why they mentioned me and I have never
heard it directly from Pak Amien. Therefore, I prefer not to
comment on it," Susilo said on Tuesday.

Syaifullah, who was invited to the opening ceremony, said he
appreciated his nomination and intimated that there was divine
intervention, but refused to comment further.

"I give thanks to God that I was chosen as possible vice
presidential candidate," he said. Syaifullah, a nephew of former
president Abdurrahman Wahid, is also running for the governorship
of East Java.

Amien said the party would need Rp 500 billion (US$61.7
million) for the presidential election campaign, with only 0.5
percent of that already in hand.

Despite the lack of funds, he said the party would be
selective in accepting financial assistance. "If we receive Rp 20
million it will just make sense, but we will think twice about
accepting donations in the hundreds of millions of rupiah or a
billion," he said.

The presidential election bill stipulates donations must not
exceed Rp 50 million from individuals or Rp 500 million from
corporations or organizations.

Indonesia will hold its landmark direct presidential election
next year, which will be held over two stages unless a candidate
wins an outright majority in the first round. The first phase is
scheduled for June 2004, while the second round is set for
August.