ID :
27165
Wed, 10/29/2008 - 10:44
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/27165
The shortlink copeid
SULTAN WANTS TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE
Yogyakarta, Oct 28 (ANTARA) - Sultan Hamengkubuwono X said here on Tuesday he wanted to bring about change in the country because he could no longer stand the sight of people still suffering poverty and unemployment despite ten years of reform.
He made the statement after declaring his readiness to run for president in the 2009 elections at a mass rally on the northern square of the compound of his palace.
Hamengkubuwono who is sultan of the traditional Javanese kingdom and also governor of the 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 in the country remains like it is now this nation will not be competitive to face future challenges. Therefore, we must change the strategy and if the people want change let us make it together," he said before thousands of people attending the meeting.
The Sultan then said "what is the use of asking Hamengkubuwono to be president if the people do not want change. I want to be an agent of change."
He said winning or losing in next year's election would be no problem to him. "At the request of the people of Yogyakarta I am willing to run for president. It is not a problem for me to lose and there is no need to feel degraded or ashamed if I lose. My logic 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 the Sultan also said that he wished to change the people's way of seeing him. He said "I am indeed a sultan but not a royal 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 the Sultan is also a common citizen who submits himself to democracy in which sovereignty is in the hands of the people.
"I hope with my willingness to run for president the people of Yogyakarta will support democratization," he said.
About his chance to win the election in 2009, the 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 am doing now is replying people's question whether I am willing or not to run for president, and I say, I am," he said.
The next step he would take, he said, was observing developments in the 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 wishes to run for president has to ask for a leave of absence to prevent him/her from possibly using state facilities.
"But a state official who is not elected must resign. I do not know what the decision will be. Will I be classified as an elected official or not. If I am not classified as an elected official and have to resign, I will probably consider doing so," he said.
Asked if he was ready to become a vice president, the Sultan said he had not thought about it as crystalization was still continuing. "Independent candidacy meanwhile is impossible because it needs an amendment to the law and therefore candicacy must be through political parties," he said.
The Sultan reiterated that he did not seek power but he only wanted to serve. He said the motivation behind his decision to run for president 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 make sacrifices for the country and they all answered they were.
His wife, Ratu Hemas, said he would be a loyal companion of the Sultan, adding there was a lot to do in the future especially with regard to injustices suffered by women.
"I will fight for women who must have equal capability and self-reliance," she said.
He made the statement after declaring his readiness to run for president in the 2009 elections at a mass rally on the northern square of the compound of his palace.
Hamengkubuwono who is sultan of the traditional Javanese kingdom and also governor of the 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 in the country remains like it is now this nation will not be competitive to face future challenges. Therefore, we must change the strategy and if the people want change let us make it together," he said before thousands of people attending the meeting.
The Sultan then said "what is the use of asking Hamengkubuwono to be president if the people do not want change. I want to be an agent of change."
He said winning or losing in next year's election would be no problem to him. "At the request of the people of Yogyakarta I am willing to run for president. It is not a problem for me to lose and there is no need to feel degraded or ashamed if I lose. My logic 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 the Sultan also said that he wished to change the people's way of seeing him. He said "I am indeed a sultan but not a royal 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 the Sultan is also a common citizen who submits himself to democracy in which sovereignty is in the hands of the people.
"I hope with my willingness to run for president the people of Yogyakarta will support democratization," he said.
About his chance to win the election in 2009, the 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 am doing now is replying people's question whether I am willing or not to run for president, and I say, I am," he said.
The next step he would take, he said, was observing developments in the 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 wishes to run for president has to ask for a leave of absence to prevent him/her from possibly using state facilities.
"But a state official who is not elected must resign. I do not know what the decision will be. Will I be classified as an elected official or not. If I am not classified as an elected official and have to resign, I will probably consider doing so," he said.
Asked if he was ready to become a vice president, the Sultan said he had not thought about it as crystalization was still continuing. "Independent candidacy meanwhile is impossible because it needs an amendment to the law and therefore candicacy must be through political parties," he said.
The Sultan reiterated that he did not seek power but he only wanted to serve. He said the motivation behind his decision to run for president 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 make sacrifices for the country and they all answered they were.
His wife, Ratu Hemas, said he would be a loyal companion of the Sultan, adding there was a lot to do in the future especially with regard to injustices suffered by women.
"I will fight for women who must have equal capability and self-reliance," she said.
