[Kabar-indonesia] 1 of 2: Tempo Cover Story: The Lure of Jakarta's Governorship

[JoyoNews at aol.com]

2 Tempo Magazine Cover Story Reports (1 of 2): 

- The Lure of the Governorship 

- Courtship of the Candidates 

Tempo Magazine
No. 01/VII
Sept 05-11, 2006 

Cover Story 

The Lure of the Governorship 

THE office of Jakarta Governor carries with it prestige and the prospect of 
enrichment. The fringe benefits alone reach Rp13 billion a year. Plus, it can 
be 
a stepping stone to the highest political office: the presidency. Six names 
have 
been mentioned. How are they preparing for the upcoming race? Following is 
Tempo's report. 

AT the ballroom of the Sultan Hotel on Friday night last week, 400 guests sat 
transfixed, their attention on the podium, where General (ret) Agum Gumelar 
stood smiling. He began by telling stories about some momentous events in his 
life. His voice was soft and pleasant, making it easy for the audience to 
follow the story of how he earned his three stars in the military. He then 
recounted his experience of working under two presidential administrations. 

Agum, 61, is Chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI) until 2007. He 
married Linda Amaliasari, daughter of former Minister of Tourism, Post & 
Telecommunications, Achmad Tahir, and they have a son and a daughter, Khaseli and 
Ami, respectively. He has had a successful career, and his family is prospering, 
enabling him to retire in peace and quiet. 

But Agum is certainly not planning to retire as yet. He is currently eying an 
enviable government post: Governor of Jakarta. Who wouldn't be? Being 
Jakarta's chief executive means holding power over the nation's showcase: a city with 
over 11 million residents. And the money is certainly alluring. The perks are 
valued at more than Rp13 billion annually. 

Applause echoed throughout the ballroom. Executives from the Jakarta branch 
of the Democrat Party were in attendance. Drummer Jelly Tobing was there to 
provide the entertainment, as were dangdut singers who were hired to liven up the 
night's proceedings. Everyone applauded in agreement when Agum said, "I know 
the ins and the outs of Jakarta." 

A member of the Democrat Party asked about his commitment if he was elected. 
"Of course, I don't want to disappoint the Democrat Party, and that can be 
interpreted as broadly as can be," he said. More applause. Agum then left the 
stage. The party in the Sultan Hotel-formerly the Hilton-was over. But the 
"party" to vie for the post of Jakarta's governor is only just beginning… 

                                                   l l l

Official registration to run in Jakarta's gubernatorial race will begin in 
five months' time. The Jakarta General Elections Commission will most likely 
accept all applicants. The election, if all goes according to plan, is scheduled 
to take place in August 2007. For the first time in history, Jakarta residents 
will vote directly for their representatives and their governor. 

There will probably be a large field of candidates, even though at the time 
of this report, only six people had indicated their interest in running for 
office. Agum Gumelar and Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, both former cabinet ministers, 
are being backed by the Democrat Party. 

Economist Faisal Basri and Lt. Gen. (ret) Bibit Waluyo have registered with 
the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). There is also Police 
Commissioner General Adang Daradjatun, who is currently Deputy Chief of the 
National Police, and whose candidacy will be backed by the Justice & Prosperity Party 
(PKS). Then there is Fauzi Bowo-the incumbent Deputy Governor, who holds a 
doctorate from Germany. 

The official campaign period has not begun yet but candidates seem eager to 
get a head start. Various events have been organized by these potential 
candidates to win the hearts of Jakarta residents. These events include football 
competitions and chess matches in various neighborhoods. Posters calling for a 
drug-free Jakarta have been posted along walls of narrow alleyways. 

Of course, none of them are publicly admitting that they are campaigning 
early. Take Fauzi Bowo, for instance. This face on the anti-drug posters declares: 
"this is one of the duties of my office." He is Chairman of Jakarta's 
Anti-Narcotics Agency. 

However, Bibit Waluyo was bold enough to admit that the fishing contest 
offering various prizes, which he organized in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, last 
August, was tied to his candidacy. "If you want to call it a head start on the 
campaign, so be it. If it leads to a disqualification, so be it," he told 
Tempo, unconcernedly. 

Of course, campaigns require money. In fact, money was sought early on, when 
the candidates began looking for support from the political parties. Rumor has 
it that candidates need to 'deposit' billions of rupiah to be accepted into a 
party. For instance, Adang reportedly contributed Rp20 billion to the PKS 
coffers as a kind of "tribute." 

In discussions with Tempo reporters, both Adang and Triwisaksana, Chairman of 
the PKS in Jakarta, denied this. "Nothing of the sort. We happen to share the 
same idealism," said Adang. Triwisaksana added, "There's no agreement yet. So 
how could there be any payment?" 

One politician who understands the competing forces in a gubernatorial 
election said that money is the backbone of such an operation. In addition to the 
"tribute" donated to the party, the entire cost of the election campaign must 
also be borne by the candidate. "The party needs [money] to mobilize its 
political engine," he said. 

According to the politician, this money is nothing compared to the benefits 
of becoming a governor, especially in Jakarta. Let's take a closer look. 

The Governor of Jakarta receives more attention in the media than any other 
official. This post can eventually become a stepping stone to the presidency. 
If the governor can efficiently manage Jakarta-one of the world's most polluted 
and crowded cities-he will have gained enough credibility to make a bid for 
the presidency. 

He also holds the key to Jakarta, the capital city, where the central 
government offices are located. His lobbying and his network are more extensive than 
those of other governors. In fact, he is the host for all visiting foreign 
dignitaries. 

What about funds? The Jakarta Governor commands enormous wealth. The 
Governor's official salary is only about Rp3 million, half the salary of a bus driver 
working on Jakarta's Busway. This amount is set in Government Regulation No. 
59/2000. What differentiates him from a bus driver are the perks he is entitled 
to. According to Government Regulation No. 109, these perks should not go 
beyond Rp13 billion a year. 

These monies are allocated to cover various expenses, including uniforms, 
medical treatment, newspaper subscriptions, and electricity bills. Over Rp1 
billion is available for the outsourcing of speeches and organizing the governor's 
daily schedule. 

The governor also receives a certain amount of supporting operational funds 
from the regional treasury. For instance, the 2006 Jakarta Regional Budget 
(APBD) is Rp17.99 trillion. From this amount, the governor receives Rp10 billion 
for operational expenses every year. Then there are the "taxables," a perfectly 
legal procedure authorized by the Ministers of Finance and Home Affairs to 
governors and regional chief executives. 

Slamet Nurdin, a member of the Jakarta Regional House of Representatives' 
(DPRD DKI Jakarta) Commission B which deals with economic issues, explained that 
Jakarta is, for now, only taking 3.75 percent of the maximum 5 percent in 
annual tax revenues. In 2005, these taxes came to Rp10 trillion. "This means that 
there is Rp375 billion which can be shared among the provincial governors," he 
said. As for how the money is to be distributed, that is left for the 
governor to decide. 

Last August, the Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency, an NGO which notes 
budgetary matters, completed an assessment of Jakarta's 2006 Budget. 
According to Arif Nur Alam, the organization's secretary-general, the Jakarta Governor 
is also entitled to a share of tax receipts from parking fees, cost of 
outdoor advertising, and nightclubs in the nation's capital. 

All these are deposited with the regional government. "But not all of them 
are accounted for," he said. Arif is convinced that the portion of the budget 
which actually reaches the regional treasury is only 60 percent of the total 
deposits. So, where does the rest go? "It is often misappropriated," said Arif. 

All in all, the position of the Jakarta Governor-minus the potential 
abuse-commands a large amount of money. Even so, none of the six candidates 
interviewed by Tempo said that money was a motivating factor. 

Take Adang Daradjatun, who met with Tempo last week at his luxurious home in 
Cipete Raya, South Jakarta. According to Adang, most of the real estate, 
luxury cars, and the spacious home he owns come from his wife's business. 

The Audit Commission on State Officials' Wealth (KPKPN) found that his wealth 
amounted to Rp11.6 billion. With a personal wealth of a "mere" Rp11.6 billion 
(2002 data), it would be difficult for Adang to achieve his dream of becoming 
Governor of Jakarta. It would also be difficult for him to give billions of 
rupiah as a "tribute" to a political party in exchange for their support. 

In 2005, Adang was often mentioned in connection with a money problem. The 
Financial Transactions Report & Analysis Center (PPATK) reported that there were 
15 high-ranking police officers with irregular bank accounts. Accordingly, 
one of these officers was Adang, with a balance of just over Rp1 trillion. 

Nothing was ever proven. For Adang, the news was the cruelest charge he ever 
experienced in his life. "I am willing to take an oath that it is completely 
untrue," he stressed. He even felt the need to explain that his intention to 
become governor was not for financial reasons. "Money is not my motivation," he 
told Tempo. 

Regarding his nomination by the PKS, Adang said that the party has not 
required him to fulfill any obligation if he is elected. Even though the party 
supporting him is religiously oriented, he will not close down entertainment spots 
in Jakarta, which are an added feature of life in the capital city-albeit 
without the gambling. 

Adang's stance is similar to that of Agum Gumelar. For Agum, the development 
of Jakarta requires rather large investments. With regard to gambling, he will 
open a dialog with the public. As for Jakarta's chaotic condition, Agum, a 
1968 graduate of the National Military Academy, realizes that the source is the 
shrinking public space and parks for relaxation. So, he plans to make city 
planning in Jakarta a priority. 

>From the military, there's Bibit Waluyo. This 1972 graduate of the Military 
Academy feels that Jakarta is a reflection or microcosm of Indonesia, which 
must be led by someone who is fully committed. "Hang me if I commit corruption," 
he grandly declared. 

Both Sarwono Kusumaatmadja and Faisal Basri are recognized as potential 
candidates from the civilian side. Neither of them is as wealthy as the generals 
mentioned above. It will also not be easy for them because without the tribute 
to their political party of choice, they would have to raise a considerable 
amount of money for an election campaign. 

Faisal, a member of the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU), 
for instance, says that he only has savings of Rp10.5 million. He bought his 
home in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, for Rp2 billion four years ago. "Most of 
that was from very flexible loans from a friend and my family," said Faisal, 
one of the founders of the National Mandate Party (PAN). 

>From the outset, Sarwono has openly said that he will step forward and 
announce his plan to run in the elections, despite not having the needed funds. When 
he spoke at the Sultan Hotel on that Friday night (together with Agum), he 
said: "If a contribution [to the Democrat Party] means tens of millions of 
rupiah to be given to the party's treasury, then we'll just look elsewhere!" 

Among all the candidates who have emerged so far, only Fauzi Bowo is keeping 
quiet. This makes sense, because he must resign from his position if he 
announces his candidacy. "I cannot comment much because it is not official yet," he 
said. 

However, Fauzi has been working hard to increase his popularity. Jakarta is 
dotted with billboards proclaiming the dangers of drugs, and his photo appears 
on all of them. He maintains that as the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the 
Anti-Narcotics Agency for DKI Jakarta, he should stand and oppose this 
contraband. 

It is still too early to predict a winner. However, things are beginning to 
heat up in the ring. At a meeting with Fauzi Bowo last week, Tempo was told 
that some people felt his plastering of thousands of anti-drug posters around the 
city is an indirect way of campaigning for governor. 

But no one is protesting. According to Fauzi, only two kinds of people are 
protesting, "the drug dealers and the users." 

A disastrous situation, indeed. 

-- Agung Rulianto, Nurlis E. Meuko, Budi Setyarso, Kurie Suditomo, 
   Wahyu Dhyatmika, HYK 

sidebar-1: Jakarta's Gubernatorial Candidates 

Six candidates are vying for the attention of Jakarta residents. They are: 
Adang Daradjatun, Agum Gumelar, Bibit Waluyo, Fauzi Bowo, Faisal Basri, and 
Sarwono Kusumaatmadja. None of the political parties have endorsed a candidate, 
such as the Golkar and Democrat parties. However, the following candidates are 
considered to be the strongest in the 2007 race for Governor of Jakarta. 

Agum Gumelar 
Born: Tasikmalaya, December 17, 1945 
Most Recent Position: Transportation Minister (2001-2004) 
Education: National Military Academy (1968), Masters Degree from American 
World University (1998) 
Personal Wealth: About Rp11.05 billion and US$370,000 including properties 
valued at Rp8.5 billion and 6 vehicles worth Rp1.1 billion (2005 data). 

Dr. H. Fauzi Bowo 
Born: Jakarta, April 10, 1948 
Most Recent Position: Deputy Governor of Jakarta (2002-2007) 
Education: Doctor of Engineering from the Fachbereich Architektur/Raum Und 
Umweltplanung-Baungenieurwesen, Universitat Kaiserlautern, Federal Republic of 
Germany (2000) 
Personal Wealth: About Rp15.13 billion and US$167,000, including properties 
valued at Rp11.2 billion, 6 cars and motorcycles (4 of them Harley Davidson 
motorcycles worth Rp720 million), valuable metals, art and antiques worth Rp1.6 
billion (2001 data). 

Sarwono Kusumaatmadja 
Born: Jakarta, July 24, 1943 
Most Recent Position: Deputy Speaker of the Regional Representatives Council 
(DPD). 
Education: Civil Engineering, Bandung Institute of Technology (1974) 
Personal Wealth: About Rp5.49 billion and US$67,000, including properties 
valued at Rp4.2 billion, savings and securities of Rp870 million (2005 data). 

Bibit Waluyo 
Born: Klaten, August 5, 1949 
Most Recent Position: Army Strategic Reserves (Kostrad) Commander (2002-2004) 
Education: Indonesian Armed Forces Academy (1972) 
Personal Wealth: About Rp2 billion, including property valued at Rp573 
million, vehicles worth Rp390 million, and a savings account of Rp902 million (2001 
data). 

Adang Daradjatun 
Born: Bogor, May 13, 1949 
Most Recent Position: Deputy Chief of National Police Force (2005) 
Education: Police Academy (1971) 
Personal Wealth: Rp9.3 billion-including pro­perty valued at Rp6.1 billion 
and 7 vehicles worth Rp1.32 billion (2002 data). 

Faisal Basri 
Born: Bandung, November 6, 1959 
Most Recent Position: Lecturer, Economics Faculty, University of Indonesia 
(FEUI) 
Education: Economics Faculty, University of Indonesia (FEUI) (1985), Master 
of Arts (MA) in Economics from Vanderbilt University, USA (1988) 
Personal Wealth: (No data from the Corruption Eradication Commission because 
Faisal has never been a public official). -- Wahyu Dhyatmika 

Sidebar-2: A Governor -- From Head to Toe 

THE 2006 annual budget for Jakarta is Rp17.99 trillion. Over half of this 
(52.7 percent) is allocated for the salaries of the administration's employees. 
The expenditures of the governor are the most conspicuous and continue to 
increase. It was Rp7.8 billion in 2002 and increased to Rp9 billion in 2003. 

Tax revenues 
Rp176.25 billion 

* 2003 Data. This comes to 3.75 percent of total taxes and fees collected in 
Jakarta, as regulated in the Home Affairs Department decree, which gives 
regional executives the authority to take a maximum of 5 percent of total tax 
receipts and fees collected in their areas. 

Local companies' payments 
Rp100 billion 

* 2005 Data. The governor is a commissioner of one of the 33 regionally-owned 
enterprises, who also determines who can become a commissioner on the 
remaining regional companies. 

Bilboard tax 
Rp14 billion 

* According to 2002 data, this came from the sale of nine outdoor billboard 
locations to fund the renovation of the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout. The 
governor has the authority to determine where signs/billboards may be erected. 

Official residence 
Rp1.28 billion 

* House Maintenance - Rp350 million 
* Cable Television - Rp50 million 
* Newspapers and Magazines - Rp90 million 
* Cultural Items - Rp50 million 
* Household Items - Rp150 million 
* Communication Devices - Rp120 million 
* Electricity - Rp92 million 
* Food - Rp288 million 
* Morning Coffee Events - Rp90 million 

Travel 
Rp411.93 million 

* Maintenance of Official Vehicle - Rp51.93 million 
* Accommodations - Rp10 million 
* Travel Expenses Abroad - Rp350 million 

Adjutant 
Rp977.7 million 

* Script Writing - Rp887.7 million 
* Daily Scheduling - Rp90 million 

Salary 
* Rp3 million per month 

Medical care and treatment 
* Rp100 million 

Official uniforms 
* Rp65 million 

Sidebar-3: A Quiz for the Candidates 

Tempo tested the knowledge of the Jakarta Governor candidates. Adang 
Daradjatun and Fauzi Bowo were not available to answer the questions. Bibit Waluyo 
refused to answer: "I am not like the 'man in the street. I'm a 
Lieutenant-General in the TNI." 

Questions   Faisal Basri Agum Gumelar Bibit Waluyo Sarwono K.   Correct 
Answers 

Area of Jakarta Don't know Don't know No answer         650 km2        740.28 
km2 
Number of bus stations 8   Many  No answer                Don't know          
  17  
Regional (City) 
Budget        Rp17.5t About     Rp17t No answer            About Rp20t   
Rp17.99t 

Number of districts 270-280 Don't know No answer       246 kelurahan       
267 
Height of National 
Monument     Don't know Over 100 meters Very tall  Roughly 45 meters 137 
meters 
What is Rorotan? Don't know Don't know No answer North Jakarta North Jakarta 
Where is Jalan 
Benyamin S.?  Kemayoran Kemayoran      No answer Jagakarsa         Kemayoran  
Number of ponds/lakes Less than 20     About 20     No answer      5     40 
Who is chief of your 
district?   Don't know,        Don't know,   No answer       Matsani    Drs. 
H.Matsani
          recently replaced  recently replaced 

Sources: Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Jakarta City Government 
Information Office, Indonesia Corruption Watch, Indonesian Forum for Budget 
Transparency, Jakarta Residents Forum, Tempo's research 
 
----------------------------------------

Tempo Magazine
No. 01/VII
Sept 05-11, 2006 

Cover Story 

Courtship of the Candidates 

The issue of a 'tribute' was raised during Adang Daradjatun's selection as 
the 
PKS candidate for Governor of Jakarta. Other parties are still selecting 
their candidates. 

WORDS of praise flowed from the lips of Police Commissioner General Adang 
Daradjatun. He was like a youth smitten with love. The Justice & Prosperity Party 
(PKS) chose him as their candidate for Governor of Jakarta. Their courtship 
has gone well. Last week, Triwisaksana, the PKS Jakarta Chairman, said: "Pak 
Adang and the PKS approached each other, then met halfway." 

"We often meet because we both feel the same energy," said Adang, 57, 
currently Deputy Chief of the National Police Force. 

PKS, the party which received the most votes in Jakarta during the 2004 
General Elections, "proclaimed its love" two weeks ago. This "marriage" has not 
been consummated because, according to PKS President Tiffatul Sembiring, Adang 
can only become an official candidate after the three-star police general 
resigns from his position as Deputy Chief of the National Police. 

The search for a candidate, culminating in Adang's selection, had begun at 
the end of 2004. At the time, the PKS had formed the 2007 Election Evaluation 
Team, led by Slamet Nurdin, currently the PKS faction leader in the Jakarta 
Regional House of Representatives. The team set five criteria for screening 
candidates, among them, experience in leadership, strong networking and fundraising. 

The team initially came up with 12 names, among them Fauzi Bowo, Lt. Gen. 
(ret) Agus Widjojo, Lt. Gen. (ret) Bibit Waluyo, Rano Karno, and Adang 
Daradjatun. After verification, seven candidates remained. Their names were submitted to 
the PKS Central Executive Board for further evaluation. The two with the 
highest scores-Adang and Fauzi Bowo-were chosen. 

These two were then reviewed by a team called the Regional Head Election 
Optimization Team. This team negotiated with Adang and Fauzi, including 
discussions on a draft of a political contract. The team members included Triwisaksana 
and Anis Matta, a member of the House of Representatives from one of Jakarta's 
districts. 

According to Tiffatul, negotiations with Fauzi Bowo recently fell apart. The 
problem was that this Jakarta Deputy Governor also wanted to try his luck as a 
candidate of the Golkar Party. "That was not possible," he said. "We won the 
last election. How could they justify getting the number one position." The 
PKS team finally chose Adang. 

Adang is actually not as popular as the other candidates. This former West 
Java Police Chief did not even appear on the initial survey conducted by PKS. 
However, according to Triwisaksana, he met the criteria set by his party. 

Adang is seen to have the strong network of support needed during an 
election. His network includes the youth in Kebayoran and Penjaringan, Jakarta, where 
he once was a Sector Police Chief; an alumnus of Boedi Oetomo High School, 
where he studied; and the extended police community. 

Adang's most prominent attribute is his other resource: money. Take a look at 
his residence on Jalan Cipete Raya, South Jakarta. Located on a main road, 
his two luxurious homes sit across from each other on about 2,000 square meters 
of land. 

Large columns support the house he lives in. There are seven cars in the 
garage, among them sports cars and two large motorcycles. There is a tennis court 
in the yard. Band instruments are set up in one corner of the room for 
receiving guests. On the other side, a large swimming pool is a welcome sight. 

It is this financial strength that has led one politician to conclude that a 
deal had been made between Adang and PKS. One politician said he heard 
information that Adang deposited a "tribute" of Rp20 billion to ensure his candidacy. 

Adang has denied this. "We happen to have the same idealism. There is no 
money involved," he told Tempo, on Monday last week. Indeed, Triwisaksana said 
that a political contract between PKS and Adang-still an officer on active 
duty-has not yet taken place. "So how could there be a tribute?" he said. 

According to that politician, such rumors in political circles are not 
unfounded. He refers to his experience in other areas. For instance, a number of 
deals were made in elections for governor, regent, or mayor in various areas. 
This generally took place if a PKS cadre wanted to become a candidate's running 
mate, as was the case in Batam earlier this year. 

A high-ranking Golkar Party official said that his party was supporting Ahmad 
Dahlan, a former Public Relations Bureau Chief of the Batam Authority, as a 
candidate for mayor. In order to enlarge his base of support, Ahmad's running 
mate was Ria Saptarika, head of the PKS in the Riau Archipelago. This 
"matchmaking" deal was sealed when Dahlan deposited Rp4 billion with PKS. "They said 
that it was to pay for the election campaign," said the politician, who wished 
to remain anonymous. 

Tiffatul rejected the claim that there was a payment to the PKS in the 
election of the regional head. What happened in Batam, according to him, is that the 
PKS and the mayoralty candidate divided the campaign expenses. He even said 
that Ahmad Dahlan was not a member of Golkar. "He is only a businessman who was 
nominated by Golkar," he said. 

However, Tiffatul did admit that his party always negotiated with prospective 
candidates on the possibility of sharing campaign expenses. "We cannot give 
candidates a free ride," said, "we do the work and they cannot just enjoy it 
like that," he said. 

According to Tiffatul, deliberations regarding campaign funds-the PKS calls 
them "election campaign venture funds"-must be done for the sake of 
transparency. This does not mean that all expenses have to be paid by the candidates 
themselves. Candidates must be able to raise funds according to regulations, he 
said. 

Triwisaksana said that his party had not yet discussed technical issues such 
as campaign funding. For sure, these election campaign funds are no small 
matter. He gave the following illustration: funding observers in polling stations 
required Rp2.9 billion, covering 29,000 locations multiplied by Rp100,000 
each. The door-to-door campaign, which was done by PKS coordinators at the 
neighborhood association level, required Rp520 million, covering 2,600 neighborhoods 
multiplied by Rp20,000 each. 

The cost of mobilizing mass support was even greater. Holding a major 
campaign rally at Bung Karno Stadium costs at least Rp2 billion. "This does not 
include the cost of advertising in the mass media, which is certainly expensive," 
said Triwisaksana. 

In any case, PKS is the first party to announce its candidate for the Jakarta 
gubernatorial election scheduled for August of next year. The two parties 
which have the right to nominate a candidate without having to form a coalition 
with another political party, as a result of the 2004 General Election, namely 
the Democrat Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), 
have only just selected their candidates. 

There are four people competing to be nominated by PDI-P, namely Faisal 
Basri, Lt. Gen. (ret) Agum Gumelar, Lt. Gen. (ret) Bibit Waluyo, and Sarwono 
Kusumaatmadja. They are currently lobbying PDI-P administrators in the capital. 
However, more importantly, they are trying to win over party chairperson Megawati 
Sukarnoputri. 

Megawati is the most important factor in the selection of PDI-P's candidate 
for governor. She is the one who selects the final candidate from those 
shortlisted by a special Work Meeting. Therefore, a meeting with Megawati is of prime 
importance. This is what the four candidates have to say: 

Sarwono: "I have met with Ibu three times, and will meet her again after she 
returns from England. I am closer to Ibu than the others. For instance, if the 
chair next to her is empty, she searches for me. 'Where is Pak Sarwono? Come 
sit here.'" 

Bibit Waluyo: "I have met with Ibu. She is happy and approves of my 
commitment regarding national unity. When she was President, I was Commander of the 
Army Strategic Reserves Command. So, the relationship is very straightforward. 
She can call me at any time." 

Faisal Basri: "I met with Mbak Megawati for two hours. She said to me: 'Don't 
worry Mas Faisal, I am not looking for rich candidates.'" 

Agum Gumelar: "I have not met Ibu Megawati yet. Hopefully we can meet soon. 
However, my relationship with her goes back to 1993." 

So they wait for her decision. The four are still nervous, unlike Adang 
Daradjatun, who is overjoyed with his relationship with the PKS. "It's like 
dating," quipped Adang. 

-- Budi Setyarso, Kurie Suditomo, Nurlis E. Meuko, Agung Rulianto 

-End 1 of 2- 

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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