Akbar Sees Four Contenders For Golkar Party's Leadership

Yogyakarta, Nov 20 (Antara) - Golkar Party`s advisory board chairman Akbar Tanjung revealed that he had found four aspirants to be more deserving than others for the party`s leadership. "Several names have emerged as potential candidates such as Priyo Budi Santoso and Airlangga as well as from senior circles Agung Laksono and certainly Aburizal Bakrie," he remarked after attending the closing of the party`s 7th national leadership meeting here on Wednesday evening. So far, eight aspirants have shown interest to participate in the election scheduled to be held during the 9th congress later this month: Agung Laksono, Hajriyanto Thohari, Agus Gumiwang, Priyo Budi Santoso, Zainuddin Amali, M.S. Hidayat, Airlangga Hartarto, and incumbent Aburizal Bakrie. Bakrie has only recently expressed his readiness to re-contest for the party`s next general chairmanship. According to Akbar, Bakrie has managed to garner the support of about 400 regional leaders, which is much higher than the others. "Of course, the number has yet to be proven in the congress," he pointed out. He noted that other aspirants had also claimed to have won the support of regional leaders, which is yet to be confirmed. "Based on the party`s rules, aspirants may run only if they are supported by minimally 30 percent of the voters," he reported. Akbar said that in case more than one candidate emerges, then voting will be held to determine the winner. The 7th national leadership meeting has decided to implement the congress to elect the party`s next leadership on November 30 in Bandung, West Java, although Bali is also keen to become the host. "In line with the decision of Commission A (organizational affairs) participants of the 7th meeting agreed (to hold the congress) on November 30 in Bandung, West Java, while Bali has also expressed readiness to be the host," stated Aburizal Bakrie, the party`s general chairman.