W. Java gubernatorial hopefuls make glowing introduction

W. Java gubernatorial hopefuls make glowing introduction

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Candidates for the West Java governorship arrived in luxury
cars, on a bike, alone and with dozens of cheering supporters at
the provincial legislative building in Bandung on Wednesday, in
their first public appearance to introduce themselves.

Some of the 80 would-be governors and deputy governors made a
public display of wealth and power. While others arrived with
much less fanfare, one even riding in on a bicycle adorned with
flags and a broom, detik.com reported on Wednesday.

The candidates hope to take over the province's top post now
held by R. Nuriana, whose second term as governor ends in June.

The upcoming gubernatorial election will be West Java's first
under the regional autonomy law, which empowers councillors to
elect the governor.

Among the candidates being touted to replace Nuriana are
retired military officers Maj. Gen. Tayo Tarmadi and Maj. Gen.
Adang Ruchiatna, and retired police officer Lt. Gen. Nana S.
Permana.

Several public officials are also joining the race, among them
deputy governor Husein Jachjasaputra and the province's
secretary, Danny Setiawan.

Luxury cars belonging to some of the candidates filled the
parking lot of the council building, which is known as the Gedung
Satay (satay building).

The man with the bike and the broom, Sariban, is among the
independent candidates. Well-groomed and wearing a dark red tie,
Sariban said he was a janitor, but little else is known about
him.

Regardless of their background, each candidate had the chance
on Wednesday to address the council in the plenary meeting hall.

Many of the councillors, however, seemed much happier
following the speeches on television sets mounted outside the
hall.

Supporters of the candidates packed the grounds of the
legislative building. Some of the stronger candidates, like Danny
Setiawan, Tayo Tarmadi and Adang Ruchiatna, attracted large
crowds of supporters, as well as people who just wanted to shake
their hands or have a picture taken with them.

"Mr. Governor, Mr. Governor!" the crowd shouted to the
candidates as they left the meeting hall.

West Java's next governor will have to cope with a host of
problems, including security, economic and environmental issues.

During former president Soeharto's 30-year rule, West Java was
seen as the backbone for security in Jakarta.

As a result, Soeharto reserved the governorship in West Java
for retired military officers, which was also the case for
Central and East Java.

Before becoming governor in 1992, Nuriana was the head of the
Siliwangi Military Command, which oversees the province.

One candidate, Tayo, another former head of the Siliwangi
Military Command, hopes to continue this tradition.

But some councillors have said it is time to dispel the notion
that the governor of West Java must have a military background.