TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Berkarya Party Chairman and late-Soeharto’s youngest son, Hutomo Mandala Putra or Tommy Soeharto declared that he has listed himself as a Papua legislative candidate (caleg) for the 2019 general elections.

Tommy’s name was registered to the General Elections Commission (KPU) together with Berkarya Party’s 575 soon-to-be legislative candidates on Tuesday night.

The party’s secretary general Priyo Budi Santoso revealed the reason behind Tommy Soeharto’s candidacy in Papua. He claims that the people of Papua has a sense of enthusiasm and nostalgic towards Soeharto’s past administration under the country’s New Order.

“The enthusiasm of people in rural areas were outstanding, they welcomed (Tommy) with the spirit and memories of President Soeharto’s administration,” Priyo claimed.

Other than Tommy Soeharto, legislative candidates that Berkarya Party enlisted are actors Andi Arsyil and senior actress Paramitha Rusady.

Priyo said that there are many former Golkar Party members that chose to jump ship and join Berkarya Party for the 2019 legislative elections. “From the 575 names that we registered, 30 percent of them are former members of other political parties,” said the Berkarya Party secretary general.

DEWI NURITA