Sultan Hb X: I want a change
Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - Sultan Hamengkubuwono X said here on Tuesday that he wanted a change because he could no longer stand seeing the people who were still suffering from poverty and unemployment despite ten years of reform.
He made the statement after declaring his readiness to run for presidency in the 2009 elections at a grand meeting between the people and the king at the northern square of the Sultanate compound.
Hamengkubuwono who is the sultan of the traditional Javanese kingdom and also governor of Yogyakarta special region said that there had so far been no fundamental change that had made the nation to progress and to be well-off with an accountable government.
"So long as the situation remains like this the nation will be competitive to face future challenges. In view of that we must change the strategy and if the people want a change let us do it together," he said before thousands of people attending the meeting.
Sultan then said "what is the use of asking Hamengkubuwono to be a president if the people do not want a change. I want to be an agent of change."
Sultan said he would not make wining or losing a problem in the next year`s competition. "Upon the request of the people of Yogyakarta I am willing to run for presidency. It is not a problem for me to lose and there is no need to feel being degraded or ashamed if I lose. My logics is not like that but on the contrary I may not show off if I win because everything is a mere mandate," he said.
On the occasion Sultan said that he also wished to change the people`s way of seeing him. He said that "I am indeed a sultan but not a noble person like 100 years ago and Yogyakarta is now also part of the republic."
"I must support democratization because I am a democrat. I must also be able to be an agent of change and a role model," he said.
He said people must also understand that Sultan is also a common citizen who submits himself to democracy in which sovereignty is in the hands of the people.
"I hope by being willing to run for presidency the people of Yogyakarta will support democratization," he said.
About his chance Sultan said he was confident it was good while the process of crystalization in the community and among political parties was still continuing.
"Political parties will indeed make their decisions only after the completion of the legislative elections. What I did now was replying the people`s question if he was willing or not to run for presidency and I said I was," he said.
The next step, is, he said, he would see the development of support from political parties. He said he could not as yet predict it moreover the bill on presidential elections was now also still being discussed including whether or not he should resign from his post as governor.
According to the draft bill a state official who wish to run for presidency has to ask for a leave to avoid him/her possibly using state facilities.
"But a state official who is not elected must resign. I do not know what will the decision be. Will I be classified as being an elected or not. If I am classified as being a not elected official and has to resign I will probably consider doing it," he said.
Ask if he is ready to become a vice president Sultan said he had not thought about it as crystalization was still continuing. "Independent candidacy meanwhile is impossible because it needs an amendment of the law and therefore candicacy must be through political parties," he said.
Sultan reiterated that he did not seek power but he only wanted to serve. He said the motivation behind his decision to run for presidency was serving not only the people of Yogyakarta but the country. He said he had come to the decision after conducting self-reflection on his motivation and capability for it.
He said he had also asked his wife and children whether they were also ready to sacrifive for the country and they all answered they were.
His wife, Ratu Hemas, said he would be a loyal company of the Sultan, adding there was a lot to do in the future especially with regard to injustices on women.
"I will fight for the women who must have equal capability and self-reliance," she said.(*)
COPYRIGHT © 2008 ANTARA
PubDate: 10/28/08 22:56
