Jakarta – Following reports that the youngest son of former president Soeharto, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, had expressed interest in running in the race for the Golkar Party leadership, senior party executives held a meeting with him and other members of the Soeharto family.
Akbar Tanjung, one Golkar executive who joined the meeting, said that Tommy was free to join the race. "That can definitely happen," Akbar said as quoted by tribunnews.com.
Meanwhile, Tommy's sister Siti "Titiek" Hediati Hariyadi said many Golkar members in the regions wanted her brother to lead the party.
"Supporters in the regions have demanded that the Soeharto family, particularly Tommy, take over the party amid the infighting," said Titiek at the House of Representatives.
Golkar was founded by Soeharto and served as his political vehicle to remain in power for more than three decades. "There is an urgent need for the Soehartos to return and save the party," said Titiek, former wife of Gerindra Party patron Prabowo Subianto.