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.