PKS withdraws support for Fauzi Bowo

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Tue, 06/20/2006 3:03 PM | Jakarta

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Jakarta chapter of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has decided against supporting Jakarta Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo and popular actor Rano Karno in the 2007 gubernatorial election.

PKS Jakarta's campaign unit chief Igo Ilham said Monday the party wanted to back candidates with a more global campaign vision.

""A candidate for Jakarta governor should have both a national as well as an international vision,"" Igo said at the City Council building.

He said that as deputy governor, Fauzi had failed to prove himself capable of dealing with local matters, and should, as a Betawi (native Jakartan), be a city advisor instead.

""Fauzi Bowo only has a local-scale track record,"" Igo said.

Separately, City Council member Mukhayar Rustamudin told The Jakarta Post the capital should be led by a native Jakartan, and that he supported his party's decision to withdraw its support for Fauzi and Rano.

Even so, he said the PKS' decision was far from final. ""There is still a possibility because the two are still fit for the positions,"" Mukhayar said, adding that the PKS would not support individuals outside of its political influence.

On the other hand, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) said it was studying the possibility of nominating Sarwono Kusumaatmaja and Agum Gumelar.

Sarwono previously served as environment minister and Golkar party secretary-general, while Agum was formerly transportation minister and also ran for vice president under the United Development Party (PPP) banner in the last general election. (10)

Comments (0) | Post comment

A | A | A |