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.