Teacher, farmer to contest gubernatorial race
Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung, West Java
Joining a list of known names, a Muslim teacher and a farmer in West Java registered themselves to contest the gubernatorial elections to replace outgoing R. Nuriana for the 2003-2008 period.
Erwan Saad, a Muslim teacher in Cililin, a remote village 40 kilometers south of Bandung, and Eka Surya, a successful farmer in Bandung regency, handed in their candidacy files on Monday to the gubernatorial election committee set up by the provincial legislative council.
The two said they had dared to register themselves as alternative candidates representing the needy, the oppressed and the low-income people in the province.
"West Java people will never lose if they support me and I win the gubernatorial election because I will take their side and fight for the interests of farmers who are used to suffering losses in land disputes with businessmen and the local administration," Eka told The Jakarta Post.
He claimed to have 105,000 farmers and youths supporting his candidacy.
Erwan and Eka were two of 21 figures who registered their candidacy with the election committee on the first day of the 14- day registration period that ends on March 7.
The remaining 19 were, among others, Indonesian Textile Producers Association (API) chairman Lili Asdjudiredja, former chief of the Army's Territorial Command Adang Ruhiatna, former Bogor mayor Soedradjat, provincial legislative council member Kurdi Moekri and the wife of former Bandung mayor Jundjunan, Popon Jundjunan.
Kurdi said he would quit after his candidacy was officially accepted by the election committee. He was supported in his bid by his United Development Party (PPP) faction in the legislature.
Nuriana's term of office will expire on June 6 after leading the province for two consecutive periods.
Three factions in the legislative council who have announced their candidates have yet to register with the committee.
The local chapter of the National Awakening Party (PKB) will name Tayo Tarmadi, former chief of the Siliwangi Military Command overseeing the province and the local Justice Party (PK) will nominate Ma'mur Hasanuddin.
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), the biggest faction in the legislative council, has named Rudy Harsa Tanaya, chairman of the party's local chapter, but has yet to register him with the committee.
The Golkar Party and the Indonesian Military/National Police factions have yet to announce the names of their candidates.
Election committee chairman Eka Santosa said the committee would hand over the names of registrants to the provincial legislature's six factions for selection.
"It depends on the factions on who they will nominate and support in the gubernatorial elections whose date is to be set later," he said.