Try Sutrisno appeases confusion over politics

JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno has called on Indonesian people, especially youth, not to be confused about the current political situation.

The vice president urged young people not to be influenced by certain groups' attempts to disturb national unity and integrity.

He did not identify the groups or the political situation which he deemed a cause for concern. However, the country has over the past year been beset by various social, economic and political woes.

The latest situation has been uncertainty caused by circulating rumors about President Soeharto's ailing health, which has also adversely affected the economy.

"Bapak (Try) has made us aware that in understanding the ongoing political situation, especially in connection with the People's Consultative Assembly in March, we must stick to the Constitution," chairman of the Ansor Youth Movement, M. Iqbal Assegaf, said after his meeting with Try at Merdeka Palace yesterday.

Ansor is affiliated with the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU). NU claims itself as one of the country's largest Moslem organizations with at least 30 million members.

Accompanied by five other Ansor executives, Iqbal reported to Try on the latest developments of the organization.

The People's Consultative Assembly will convene in March to elect a new president and vice president and endorse the State Policy Guidelines.

President Soeharto, 76, is widely expected to be reelected for a seventh consecutive term in March. He has been silent about whether or not he will accept his renomination.

Given Soeharto's age, the vice presidential position is regarded as even more important for the nation's future.

According to the 1945 Constitution, the vice president is supposed to take over the presidential post if the president cannot perform his duties.

"Our duty is to be consistent in following the Constitution and system which we have agreed upon," Try told Ansor leaders.

Try is the fifth deputy under Soeharto since the President became the head of state in 1967.

Try's predecessors are the late Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX (a civilian), the late Adam Malik (a civilian), Umar Wirahadikusumah (a retired Army general), and Sudharmono (a retired Army general). All of them served only one term.

Soeharto had actually wanted Sultan to be his vice president from 1978 to 1983. However, Sultan turned down the offer citing his poor health.

Try, 62, is a retired Army general and was former Armed Forces (ABRI) commander from 1988 to 1993 before taking the position as the country's second most powerful leader in March 1993.

Try served as Soeharto's adjutant from 1974 to 1978. Palace officials recalled him as being one of Soeharto's favorite adjutants.

"Pak Try has a good sense of humor and Pak Harto was often entertained by his fresh jokes," one palace official recalled.

Soeharto's six children were still young when Try worked as his aide. His eldest daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana was 25 years old at the time, and his youngest son, Hutomo, was about 13 years old.

"At that time, they referred to Try as Mas (older brother)," said the officials.

Besides Try, several other figures have been tipped to become the next vice president, including State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie, State Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Minister of Information R. Hartono and Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono. (prb)