Preening for the Presidency
Indonesian presidential candidates are a diverse group. They include retired generals, a playwright, a former activist and a former governor. Some are backed by political parties, others are long-shots, trying to capitalize on their image.
July 22, 2008
THE seventh floor of the National Mandate Party (PAN) headquarters was still busy close to midnight last week. Celebrities Wulan Guritno, Marini Zumarnis and Dery Derajad were in the office of PAN Chairman Soetrisno Bachir, along with economist Christianto Wibisono. A thin layer of smoke wafted through the air. Cigarette butts filled the ashtray.
Dangdut music singer Iyet Bustami had just left the room a few minutes ago. “They will be candidat
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