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SCMP Reporter

President Suharto's daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana has supported her father's decision to abolish a special team to advise on vice-presidential nominations.

 Ms Rukmana said it was no longer necessary or appropriate to have a special advisory group, the Kompas daily reported.

 'We must not rigidly stick to tradition, but adapt to the present situation and condition,' said Ms Rukmana, who is understood to have moved into the role of special political adviser to her father.

 In previous presidential elections Mr Suharto has gathered a team of experts to advise him on nomination for the deputy position.

 An 11-member group assisted him in the 1993 elections when General Try Sutrisno was elected Vice-President. The team had recommended another candidate, Research and Technology Minister Bacharuddin Habibie. The President ignored the advice and chose General Sutrisno, with analysts saying he was under pressure to appease the military.

 General Sutrisno has no strong power base and little influence, and as such is a strong contender for a second posting.

 Ms Rukmana, who is deputy chairman of the ruling Golkar party, said the abolishing of the advisory team did not necessitate problems with the election. She said the 1,000-member Peoples' Advisory Council (MPR) could be trusted to choose the next vice-president.

 Mr Suharto chooses the vice-president from a short list compiled by the three main political parties and the armed forces. By dissolving the team Mr Suharto has signalled he wants to control next year's election more tightly.



Rukmana supports axing of advisers