Slamet Susanto and Tarko Sudiarno, Yogyakarta – After much speculation, Yogyakarta Governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono X announced Tuesday his bid for the presidency in 2009, at a meeting that drew together the country's nobility.
"By requesting guidance from the One God and based on sincere motivation to serve the Motherland, I hereby declare my readiness to become president in 2009," he said.
The crowd of 20,000 cheered the announcement, which comes after months of suspense over whether Hamengkubuwono would run. "From now on, we have to unite as a nation," Hamengkubuwono said before leaving the stage.
The statement was made during a pisowanan agung (great meeting) held in the city's Alun-alun Utara Square. In a press conference after the announcement, Hamengkubuwono said he was driven to serve and change the nation to create a compassionate society and boost Indonesia's global standing.
"I can't stand seeing the people suffer," he said. "Poverty and unemployment are increasing. Ten years of reform have not brought fundamental change."
He also said he wanted to change the Yogyakartan mind-set that held the sultan up as an unerring figure, into a more democratic one.
"As a sultan, I am no more noble than those 100 years ago. As a sultanate, Yogyakarta is part of the Unitary State of Republic of Indonesia and must support democratization," he said.
"A sultan must also accept criticism and follow democratic values. It is no problem if I lose the election. "It does not necessarily mean I have humiliated myself. On the other hand, I cannot be arrogant if I do win."
Hamengkubuwono admitted he had yet to decide on a political vehicle for his presidency, but was taking into consideration political developments after the legislative elections. He also deferred the choice of a running mate until after the polls in April.
It is unclear whether Hamengkubuwono must resign as Yogyakarta governor, pending the endorsement of the presidential election bill.
Hamengkubuwono is also chairman of the Yogyakarta branch of the Golkar Party, which has refrained from naming a presidential candidate before the legislative election, following its three-day meeting that ended Oct. 20.
During that meeting, however, several regional branches called on the party to name a presidential candidate to gauge the public's response.
In addition to Hamengkubuwono, other names being flouted included party chairman Jusuf Kalla, deputy chairman Agung Laksono, chief patron and media mogul Surya Paloh, former chairman Akbar Tandjung, and Gorontalo Governor Fadel Muhammad.
The legislative election is set for April 9, next year while the presidential election will be held in the first week of July.
The Yogyakarta governor's father, the late Hamengkubuwono IX, served as vice president from 1973 to 1978 under former president Soeharto.
Those in attendance at Tuesday's meeting included film director Garin Nugroho and political observer Sukardi Rinakit. Singers Franky Sahilatua and Trie Utami, along with dozens of traditional dance troupes, provided the entertainment.