-By Roy Mark
JAKARTA,
16-Feb-04: It
was reported last month that Indonesia’s presidential election has
turned into a family affair. The
current president, Megawati Soekarnoputri is standing for reelection,
opposed by among others, her brother Guruh Soekarnoputra, and her
sisters Rachmawati Soekarnoputri and Sukmawati Soekarnoputri.
“Mega” as the president is affectionately called, is opposed
by brother “Guruh” within Mega’s own political party.
Mega’s two sisters are opposing her from two rival political
parties. Not to be outdone, Megawati's youngest sister, Diah Mutiara
Sukmawati Soekarnoputri has now declared her candidacy to replace her
big sister. Sukmawati is
the head of Marhaenisme Indonesian National Party.
The five sibling candidates are the offspring
of Indonesia’s founding president Soekarno.
Alas, Soekarno’s brood of presidential candidates
are not alone in their quest for their father's former job. A
daughter of Soeharto, Indonesia's second president is also a candidate.
Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana has been nominated to pick up the torch of her
father's 32-year bloody dictatorship.
