Wiranto strong presidential candidate: Golkar

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto may be one of the country's strongest presidential candidates, Golkar deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman said on Saturday.

Speaking to journalists after addressing a forum jointly organized by Singapore's Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies and the Center for Contemporary Islamic Studies, Marzuki described Wiranto as an acceptable figure for major political parties contesting the general election on June 7, including Golkar.

"And based on initial views and polling it would seem to be the case that of the five names that have been circulating, Mr. Wiranto does in fact enjoy the widest support across the board -- going beyond particular or individual political parties," Marzuki said.

Marzuki said the incumbent, President B.J. Habibie -- who took over the presidency from Soeharto and was therefore never elected -- still had a chance to retain the presidency. He added that Golkar would also pick Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, the Yogyakarta governor, as another potential candidate. Sultan and Wiranto both have been tipped for presidential or vice presidential posts.

Marzuki, however, did not mention Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung as another possible contender for the post. Akbar himself has repeatedly said Golkar would only nominate Habibie for the post.

"I think the sequence will be the other way around and that is to look for a candidate that meets the expectations of the majority of the factions," he said, as quoted by AFP.

Marzuki, also chairman of the respected National Commission on Human rights, cited two other candidates from opposition parties as strong rivals for the three figures. He said chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Megawati Soekarnoputri and chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Amien Rais also had a chance.

This is the second time Marzuki has addressed a forum in Singapore, after his first visit last month at the invitation of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Megawati and Amien have also addressed similar forums in Singapore.

Marzuki said last month that Habibie was still leading the presidential race, but added that he was not the ideal man.

When asked about his party's strategy to win the general election, Marzuki said Golkar's game plan was to win enough votes in the polls to be part of a coalition government.

"The strategy now is just to win enough to be part of a coalition government. If we get less than 20 percent, my personal view is that Golkar will become the opposition," he noted.

Minister

Separately, United Development Party (PPP) chairman Hamzah Haz said on Saturday that, if the government ruled against Cabinet ministers going on the electioneering trail, he would resign from his post as investment minister in order to campaign for his party.

Speaking in Temanggung, Central Java, Hamzah said he would not consider taking leave for the purpose. "Nothing like that. If ministers are barred from campaigning and have to choose, then I will choose to go on campaigning and resign as minister," he said as quoted by Antara.

Hamzah was indirectly referring to Akbar Tandjung who has said he will ask for leave from his position as minister/state secretary in order to campaign for Golkar.

Hamzah also said his party had decided that all of its legislative candidates must campaign.

From Cianjur in West Java, Antara reported that chairman of the Crescent Star Party (PBB) Yusril Ihza Mahendra had called on all 48 political parties contesting the elections to launch peaceful campaigns starting May 15.

"No unrest, please, so we don't create fear among people," he said before about 100,000 supporters. He also called on his party cadres to abide by the law and to be on their best behavior when they join campaigning activities.

"There's no place in our party for hoodlums, extorters or drunkards," he said. "Campaigning should become a time for public political education on how to live in a democracy, not a time for trading condemnations and slander."

Meanwhile in Ujungpandang, the capital of South Sulawesi, the University Network for Free and Fair Elections (Unfrel) reported it had found several irregularities in voter registration in the province.

Provincial Unfrel chairman Darwis said his team found that registration officials in Soppeng, Polmas and Enrekang regencies, had put Golkar's code number of 33 on each registration form.

In Enrekang, 420 kilometers north of Ujungpandang, Unfrel volunteers found the head of the regency's Ministry of Education and Culture, Mustakim, had persuaded teachers and ministry officials to vote for Golkar in the upcoming general election.

In Majene regency, head of local Ministry of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises required all traders wanting to borrow money from a cooperative to produce proof they were members of the People's Sovereignty Party (PDR).

In Pemalang, Central Java, supporters of the United Development Party (PPP) attacked a gathering of the National Awakening Party (PKB) in Mega village reportedly because the gathering was opened by the village chief. (prb/27/45/swe)