Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Golkar Party Associate Chairman Priyo Budi Santoso expressed appreciation for the fact that former finance minister Sri Mulyani would be nominated for president by the Independent United People Party (SRI) in 2014.

"Anyone can be nominated for president for the 2014 election. If it is true that Sri Mulyani will be nominated for president, she will add to the list of candidates," he said here on Wednesday.

Priyo said Sri Mulyani was an able figure and had capacity and so there was no need to ban her candidacy.

He admitted that every candidate had weaknesses but that would not be a problem as it would be the people who would decide.

"I hope all presidential candidates can later compete fairly," he said.

Priyo who is also deputy house speaker said that Sri Mulyani may be nominated by the SRI Party or other parties.

However, he hoped Sri Mulyani need not seek foreign support if she really would run for president in 2014.

"It is already convincing for Sri Mulyani to run by herself without foreign support," he said.

Priyo said if Sri Mulyani ran with foreign support that would not be something to be proud of.

"Personally I would not be proud and it would be deplorable (if she did)," he said.

Sri Mulyani as well as other candidates need not seek foreign support to run for president in 2014, Priyo said.

"As a nation we must not submit to foreigners," he said.

The SRI Party officially registered itself with the ministry of law and human rights on Wednesday.

Its chief, Damianus Taufan, said he hoped the party could participte in the 2014 general elections and nominate Sri Mulyani for president.

Sri Mulyani resigned as finance minister to accept the post of World Bank managing director in 2010.
(T.R024/H-YH/HAJM/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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