He said however that Sri Mulyani would not be the only good candidate who would run for president in 2014.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Constitutional Court (MK) Chairman Mahfud MD has welcomed the plan of the SRI Party to nominate former finance minister Sri Mulyani for president in 2014.

Talking to reporters before a fast breaking function at the State Palace here on Wednesday, he said Sri Mulyani had capacity and integrity.

"So far Sri Mulyani has been good. She has capacity and integrity," he said.

He said however that Sri Mulyani would not be the only good candidate who would run for president in 2014.

The Independent United People Party (SRI) was officially registered with the ministry of justice and human rights on Wednesday by noted lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis and political science professor Arbi Sanit who are also members of the new party`s advisory board.

Other advisory board members include Rahman Tolleng, Rocky Gerung and Fikri Jufri.

Although he responded Mulyani`s nomination Mahfud would not comment much when asked about his possibility to be nominated as a presidential candidate.

"I do not have a party and therefore I would not answer the question. Even I would set up a party it would be too later," he said.

The deputy secretary general of the executive board of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Teguh Juwarno, also hailed Sri Mulyani`s nomination.

"We welcome political figures who would run for president in 2014," he said at the parliament building here on Wednesday.

He made the statement in response to the registration of the Independent United People Party (SRI) that day that would nominate Sri Mulyani to be its presidential candidate for the 2014 election.

Teguh said competition would be lively ahead of the 2014 presidential election as current President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would not be able to be re-elected because he would be in the post for two terms.

He said political parties have to be open for candidates including Sri Mulyani.

He admitted that Mulyani would have to wipe out the stigma related to the Century Bank case when running for president.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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