VP selection team no longer needed: Golkar leader

JAKARTA (JP): Golkar leader Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana supported yesterday President Soeharto's decision to do away with his tradition of forming an extraparliamentary team to select vice presidential candidates.

She said the tradition was no longer appropriate nor necessary. People should instead adjust to change, she said yesterday after attending a meeting of the People's Consultative Assembly.

"We must not (rigidly) stick to tradition, but adapt to the present situation and condition," said Hardiyanti, who is better known as Mbak Tutut, President Soeharto's eldest daughter.

She was referring to a team that President Soeharto used to set up every time he was renominated to the presidency. The team, whose membership changed every time, selected and suggested names of vice presidential candidates.

The existence of the team was never officially confirmed previously, but many had been aware of it since the 1983 presidential and vice presidential election. President Soeharto was reelected for his fourth consecutive term that year, while the elected vice president was Umar Wirahadikusumah.

Hardiyanti said the absence of the team would not necessarily mean that the vice presidential election would not go smoothly. She said the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) should be trusted to establish the necessary mechanism for vice presidential election.

Former vice president Sudharmono, who chaired the 1983 screening team, said Tuesday it would be up to Soeharto whether or not he wanted such a team next year. Sudharmono was elected vice president in 1988.

Golkar's secretary-general, Ari Mardjono, shared Hardiyanti's view.

"Each MPR faction starts the process of vice presidential nomination and election by forwarding its own candidates. It is the factions that will the candidates with the elected president," Ari said.

He confirmed that next year, the president elect would not be assisted by such a team.

Asked why Soeharto decided not to have the team for next year's vice presidential election, Ari said: "Only Pak Harto knows."

Soeharto has not yet been formally renominated for another term, as it would be the task of the People's Consultative Assembly in its general assembly next March.

Golkar, however, has declared it will renominate Soeharto, effectively guaranteeing his reelection as the political grouping enjoys the support of the Armed Forces and Regional Representatives factions.

The minority Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and the United Development Party (PPP) have yet to decide their stance, but observers say it is unlikely they will dissent.

Trust

Akbar Tanjung, a member of Golkar's board of patrons, said the absence of the special team to select the next vice president indicated President Soeharto's great trust in the People's Consultative Assembly.

"I think President Soeharto found the Assembly solid enough to recruit the vice president. The confidence should by all means serve as a challenge for the Assembly to select the best candidates," said Akbar, who is also State Minister of Public Housing.

Akbar was a member of the team who helped Soeharto elect Sudharmono as vice president in 1988. The other members were Sudharmono, Cosmas Batubara, Siswono Yudohusodo, Moerdiono, Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Try Sutrisno and Edi Sudrajat.

The 1993 team consisted of 11 people, including Rudini and B.J. Habibie.

Akbar said yesterday that theoretically each of the five factions in the Assembly could nominate its own candidate for the vice presidency, but it had to firstly consult with the elected president as stipulated by a 1973 decree.

The decree, which remains effective to date, says the vice presidential candidate must be able to cooperate with the elected president. (imn/amd)