New Party to Nominate Sri Mulyani for President

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - A new political party has announced its plan to nominate former finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati for president in 2014. The Serikat Rakyat Independen (SRI-Independent United People) Party officially registered itself with the ministry of law and human rights here on Wednesday.

"We are grateful we have entered the legal process. This is not an easy job as tight requirements needed to be met," the general chairman of the party’s national executive board, D Taufan, said. He claimed the party already had supporters from all community layers and it would continue to popularize its presence.

"We have already set up chapters in all 33 provinces in the country. What still needs to be improved are executive boards at sub-district and village levels."

Taufan, who is a former student and human rights activist, admitted that Sri Mulyani is the central figure that has been made a role model in the party established in May 2011.

He said the former minister had an impressive track record. "I think Sri Mulyani is the best for Indonesia’s political future. She is a general standard and has been successful in conducting bureaucratic reform in the finance ministry."

He stated support for the party and Sri Mulyani was very strong especially in the regions. "The networks that have been formed emerged not because of the party but because of public admiration for Sri Mulyani."

"The aspirations for the establishment of the party come from below. We do not know if she (Sri Mulyani) has agreed or not about the party. In case of any rejection the establishment will certainly be rejected," he said.

Regarding alleged involvement of Sri Mulyani in the Century Bank bailout case he said he believed Sri Mulyani was not wrong and it did not affect public support for her.

"The allegation is a partisan one so that it cannot be used as a reference," he said. He hoped the party would later pass the parliamentary threshold.