SBY urged to select career politician as VP

THE JAKARTA POST

Saturday, May 9, 2009 7:45

SBY urged to select career politician as VP


Thu, 05/07/2009 2:29 PM | National

Observers believe that a running mate with a political background will be of greater benefit to incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) than a businessman in his quest for reelection.

"People say that SBY should choose a professional as his running mate rather than a figure from one of the political parties to avoid jealousy among them. However, I think such a measure would be naive," Bima Arya Sugiarta of the Charta Politika think tank told a discussion it hosted on Wednesday.

"It is important for SBY to choose a running mate with a wide political network. If SBY blunders, then it would be possible for him to lose the election or to have a hard time in future governance," he added.

Bima said that a vast political network was essential to ensure strong support from the legislative body, which would make way for more efficient and effective governance.

"The current legislative body response wildly to the government's policies. Party coalitions change their attitude at the drop of a hat.

"Therefore, SBY should name a running mate who can *get a grip' on the legislative body, otherwise his governance will be swallowed by the opposition," he added.

Yudhoyono has stated that the current coalition in the legislative body gives him nothing but trouble.

Refly Harun, a political analyst from the Center for Electoral Reform (CETRO), said that if Yudhoyono selects a businessman as his vice-presidential candidate, he would need to polish the political skills of his deputy.

"If elected, SBY should improve the political proficiency of his VP. It's crucial because SBY cannot run for a third term," he said.

"Therefore if he wishes to maintain his grip and preserve his Democratic Party's supremacy after 2014, he should groom a vice president who will be able to fill in his shoes," he added.

Yudhoyono has not announced his running mate, although he claimed to have 19 candidates to choose from.

Hidayat Nur Wahid of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and Hatta Radjasa from the National Awakening Party (PAN) have been proposed to Yudhoyono.

Central Bank Governor Boediono and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani have also been tipped as potential candidates.

Burhanudin Muhtadi, a senior researcher from the Indonesian Survey Insitute (LSI), suggested that Yudhoyono pick a professional who posses political skills.

"I think Sri Mulyani has more untapped potential to become a great politician rather than Boediono because she once managed to resolve a deadlock with the legislative body," he said.

However, Ray Rangkuti, the director of the Indonesian Madani Circle (LIMA), said Yudhoyono would make a fatal blunder if he picked either Boediono or Sri.

"Both of them represent a neoliberal image, which is unpopular among the young, who account for the largest segment of voters," he said.(hdt)