Markus Junianto Sihaloho, Jakarta – Analysts have dismissed the efforts of several small political parties to court former president Suharto's son Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra as their possible presidential candidate.
Burhanuddin Muhtadi, a political analyst from the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI), said its surveys on possible future national leaders had never included Tommy's name.
"Only a small number of people miss the Suharto regime. Many people would avoid parties linked to Suharto, including Golkar," Burhanuddin said. He said more than 70 percent of the people were satisfied with the current state of democracy.
It was obvious Suharto's descendants were still keen to return to the national political stage, Burhanuddin said, citing attempts by the former dictator's eldest daughter, Siti "Tutut" Hardiyanti Rukmana's to run as the Concern for the Nation Functional Party's candidate (PKPB) in the past two elections.
Her sister, Siti Hediyanti, failed in her bid to enter politics through Golkar and to chair the Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI) this year.
Burhanuddin said Tommy, a former member of the People's Consultative Assembly, had twice failed to re-enter politics. In 2009, he ran for the chairmanship of Golkar but did not get a single vote.
His attempt to chair the Mutual Assistance Families Society (MKGR), a core group within Golkar, also went nowhere this year. "From all this, I doubt he has the ability to still have a role in Indonesian politics," he said.
Unlike Tutut, who still had some political clout, Tommy was mostly known as the "prince of Cendana," who preferred to party.
Cendana is the name of the street where Suharto's private residence is located in a posh district of Jakarta. The name is also used to refer to the Suharto clan. Burhanuddin said the small parties were only interested in Tommy's wealth.
"I see Tommy's passion to enter politics as his new strategy to secure his wealth and assets," he said. "But remember, he may have a big passion but times have changed." The Suharto name was no longer a selling point.
A group of small political parties announced on Monday that they were considering nominating Tommy for president. The 14 parties contested last year's general elections but failed to get into the House of Representatives.
Jeirry Sumampouw, from the Independent Committee for Election Monitoring (KIPP), said it was up to the public to find out Tommy's motives for returning to politics.
He said several wealthy figures with a dark past had been able to make the transition, citing retired Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto, who happens to be a former Suharto son-in-law, and Gen.Wiranto, both leading figures under the Suharto regime.
Jeirry said the two now enjoyed a new image as politicians after investing heavily in establishing the Great Indonesian Movement Party (Gerindra) and the People's Conscience Party (Hanura), respectively.
"No one remembers their involvement in human rights violations. They have even become idols for some," Jeirry said. "This is what people should see. Tommy may have similar motives."
Although the election law might complicate his bid, Jeirry said Tommy's money could still command votes. "The key now is whether Tommy would dare to spend his money," he said.
Haris Azhar, coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), said that while Tommy might increase his popularity by using the small parties to run in the next election, it would not guarantee him votes as most people would still see him mainly as Suharto's son.