Lee Kim Chew – In his bid to become Indonesia's next president, former military chief General Wiranto yesterday used Singapore as his launch pad to project himself as the strong leader his country needs.

He banked on his long experience as presidential aide, defence minister, armed forces commander and coordinating minister for security and politics during the Suharto, Habibie and Gus Dur presidencies.

He did not accept the presidency offered by then president Suharto in 1988 because "the timing was wrong". The pro-democracy movement was suspicious of his motives and ties with the Suharto family, he said.

But President Megawati Sukarnoputri and her predecessor Gus Dur had failed to lead Indonesia out of its political and economic crisis, he said.

Little had been done to stamp out corruption and reforms had stalled. Foreign investments had fallen and unemployment was up. He could solve these problems, he said, which was why he was running for president in the election in July.

Speaking to diplomats, businessmen and academics at a talk organised by Ampro Business Club and the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies in the Marina Mandarin Hotel, he pitched his message thus: "What Indonesia needs most is a strong, experienced leader. I'm now ready to run for president because I feel that I'm the only candidate who can provide this leadership." He would institute wide-ranging reforms.

"If Indonesia has a weak leader and democracy fails, the results for the rest of the Muslim world could be disastrous." An unstable Indonesia would also undermine stability in Asean, he added.

"I have zero tolerance for terrorists ... If elected, I'll devote adequate time, funds and resources to exterminate terrorists on our lands and seas. I know how to do it," he said.

"Given the current liability of Indonesia to various internal threats, I would assert strong, capable leadership embodied by an experienced commander. This is not just an attractive option, it is a requirement ... I'm selling hope, not fear here."

Asked if his bid to clinch the Golkar candidacy was in jeopardy because of the court acquittal for party chief Akbar Tandjung's conviction for corruption, he said the voters would judge a candidate by his track record.

Gen Wiranto said he was seeking a one-term presidency because this would focus minds on solving the country's problems rather than thinking of how to win the next election.

He conceded that his past links with Mr Suharto were a disadvantage now. But who was not linked to the former president during his long rule, he asked? "I'm pro-reform and will make changes to advance the democratic cause," he said.