Sutiyoso officially throws hat into ring for goversnor's race
Sutiyoso officially throws hat into ring for goversnor's race
Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso will officially run for reelection in
the upcoming gubernatorial race after registering on Thursday,
although large parties at the City Council effectively withdrew
their support of him.
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
and the United Development Party (PPP), have tentatively backed
away from the much-criticized retired major general.
Also on Thursday, women's rights activist and lawyer
Nursjahbani Katjasungkana submitted her documents to run for Vice
Governor.
PDI Perjuangan chairwoman, President Megawati Soekarnoputri,
had earlier thrown her weight behind Sutiyoso's reelection bid
but the party's city councillors are backing their Jakarta
chapter chairman Tarmidi Suhardjo.
PPP, whose chairman is Vice President Hamzah Haz, also
withdrew its support for Sutiyoso and switched it to current
Jakarta Secretary Fauzi Bowo.
So far, Sutiyoso, the former Jakarta Military Commander, only
has the confirmed backing of the relatively obscure Unity and
Justice Party (PKP), which only has one seat in the council.
The election regulation states that the factions in the
council will select the governor and vice governor candidates
based on the registration, which was opened on June 10 and is
closed on June 24.
The election will be determined by the 85 councillors which
consist of PDI Perjuangan (30 seats), the National Mandate Party
(PAN) (13), PPP (12), the TNI/Police faction (9), Golkar (8) and
13 councillors from smaller parties.
"I have been endorsed by (Megawati and Hamzah). However, I
hope it does not discourage other candidates from running in the
election," Sutiyoso said.
He claimed his decision to run for a second five-year term was
supported by his wife, Setyorini, although she earlier objected
his plan.
Sutiyoso promised to concentrate on poverty alleviation and
education if he were reelected.
Despite Sutiyoso, Fauzi also registered at the election
committee office, claiming he had received support from several
factions in the council.
"Yes, there is some support but I can't spell it out because
the game is still far (from over)," said Fauzi, who was
accompanied by leaders of the Native Jakartan Association (Bamus
Betawi).
Fauzi reportedly has the support of several members from PPP,
Golkar, PAN and several smaller factions.
As for Nursjahbani, she said: "I would refuse to cooperate
with the elected governor if he comes from the military."
Nursjahbani was accompanied by the chairman of the Jakarta
Residents Forum (Fakta), Azas Tigor Nainggolan, as she
registered.
Sutiyoso, who as late as last week was considered the
strongest candidate, will now be seriously challenged by Fauzi
and the incumbent council chairman Maj. Gen. Edy Waluyo, who
registered on Wednesday.
Commenting on Edy's registration, chairman of the Jakarta
Study Center (PPJ) M. Taufik urged Edy to resign from the council
because, according to the Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief's
Instruction, a candidate from the military was required to retire
at the beginning of the election process.
"Since Edy will automatically draw a pension from the
military, as a member of the TNI faction, he must resign from the
council now that he is a candidate," Taufik said.
Edy is reportedly supported by councillors from the TNI/Police
faction and Golkar.