SUTIYOSO: BACK IN THE SADDLE?

Tuesday, September 10, 2002

From a four-story cream-colored building on Jalan Kebon Sirih in Central Jakarta—the Jakarta Regional Legislative Council (DPRD DKI)—the name of the new Governor of Jakarta will be announced this Wednesday. Seven contestants will "fight" before the 85 members of the council. However, incumbent Jakarta Governor Lt. Gen. (ret) Sutiyoso—the leading contestant—seems to have won the contest even before it starts. He's been nominated by two powerful factions: PDI-P and Golkar, as well as the Justice & Unity Party Faction. No less important, he's pocketed the "mandatory certification" —the president's blessing. Megawati still favors him despite his bright red report card: from his alleged involvement in the July 27, 1996 incident, to the corruption and collusion that have prospered in the capital city under his leadership.

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One morning, the shrill cry breaks through the walls into the Tjirtodihardjo family's house. Pak Tjirto immediately rushes outside to calm his son who's bawling and rolling around in the sand. Instead of calming him, his father's words make Bendol wail even louder. "He's always been hard-headed since childhood," said Suparto Tjirtodihardjo, his elder brother. This Bendol, the kid who was always stubborn, later turned out to be successful and becam

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