Retired Mily Generals to Join "Hatta For President"

Surabaya (Antara) - A number of retired military generals will support the National Mandate Party (PAN) and join the 'Hatta for President' volunteers in next year's presidential race. "A number of former military generals, including a former army chief, have expressed desires to join the group," Hatta Rajasa, the general chairman of PAN, said on the sidelines of PAN's legislative candidate consolidation here on Sunday. However, Hatta, who is also the coordinating minister for economic affairs, was reluctant to give details or names of the retired generals who had expressed willingness to become volunteers of the 'Hatta for President' team. "Just wait until we have launched the team, all will get to know it. Now is not yet the time to reveal it," Hatta, who is also the father in law of Ibas, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's son. He said that "Hatta Rajasa for President" volunteer team was a movement to usher Hatta in the number one place in this country. This movement would be launched in all regions and provinces across the country. However, Hatta said the decision for his naming as a presidential candidate for the 2014-2019 presidential term would be announced after the April 9, 2014 legislative elections. He said that his nomination would be announced if the percentage of the votes his party won reached two digits. "If the quick count shows that PAN has won at least two digits of the vote percentage, the PAN will declare it directly. The PAN executive board is convinced that its cadres across the country want their general chairman to become president," he said. (*)