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Soeharto's nephew eyes Bantul regent chair
A relative of the late president Soeharto has announced his intention to be named as a candidate for the Bantul regentâs chair
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relative of the late president Soeharto has announced hisintention to be named as a candidate for the Bantul regent's chair. AryoWinoto, Soeharto's nephew, claimed that he had already secured his family'sblessing for the plan.
'I decided to run for the office after having long discussions with friends, family and supporters,' he said on Thursday.
He said that he was motivated solely by the will to improve Bantul's condition.
'Besides, it has been too long that Bantul has been ruled by one dynasty,' Aryo said, referring to the Samawi's family, from which husband Idham Samawi and wife Sri Surya Widati had become Bantul regents consecutively through three continuous tenures.
Idham, twice elected as regent, was replaced by his wife Widati through a direct election.
Aryo said that besides discussing this with the extended family, he also discussed it with the Gerindra Party.
Aryo is the son of Soeharto's fifth sibling, the late Noto Suwito, who was head of Kemusuk subdistrict in Bantul. Despite his position, Noto was once known as the strongest figure in Bantul, so much so that prospective officials had to seek his blessing first before running for office.
Besides Aryo, a police official, Sr. Comr. Priharsono, had also announced an interest in the same office.
The two will compete with incumbent Sri Surya Widati, who will run for the second time. (dic)
