T

hree senior executives of the Lapindo Brantas Inc. oil and gas company in the center of mudflow disaster in Sidoarjo regency in East Java, are set to contend for the regency's top position.

The three have nominated themselves to run in the upcoming Sidoarjo regency election.

Although issues concerning the compensation of those affected by the disaster remain unresolved, Yuniwati Teryana, the company's vice president of public relations and social affairs, has been seeking political figures, societal elements and clerics in Sidoarjo, for her campaign to be regent.

"My nomination has nothing to do with the compensation or company interests. I'm not a politician, but I have the right to run for election," Yuniwati told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Her two colleagues in the Bakrie Group of companies - PT Minarak Lapindo Jaya's commissioner Gesang Budiarso and operational manager Bambang Prasetyo Widodo - have also nominated themselves as regental candidates. The election will be held July 25.

Gesang is secretary of the East Java Golkar Party chapter, while Bambang is the son of the former Sidoarjo regent Soewandi during the 1975-1985 period.

Gesang and Bambang, who earlier held positions as directors of two media establishments - The Surabaya Post and Arek TV - vied to get support from Golkar Party.

Golkar eventually threw its weight behind Bambang. He also has the support of The Greater Indonesian Movement Party (Gerindra) and Ulema National Awakening Party (PKNU), while Gesang and Yuniwati must seek for support from supporting parties.

The three hopefuls are planning to run against Saiful Illah, regental candidate from the National Awakening Party (PKB), the current Sidoarjo vice regent.

Mudflow victim from Jatirejo village Ahmad Rofik, 41, said the regent election would not significantly affect the mudflow victims' situation.

"Candidates have made many empty promises to resolve the land compensation issue, but even after President Susilo Bambang Yudho-yono and *East Java* Governor Soekarwo were elected, our fate remains the same," Rofik told the Post.

Coordinator of the mudflow victims at the Tanggulangin Sejahtera I housing complex, Koes Sulassono, said the victims would no longer trust candidates' promises, especially those made by the three from Lapindo.

Sidoarjo General Elections Commission (KPUD) head Anshori said his office could not stop the Lapindo candidates from nominating themselves as regental candidates.

"The KPU is not an institution that is involved in politics."