"However, if there are any junior politicians who have the capability, capacity and integrity he/she must be given an opportunity to emerge," Priyo Budi Santoso, an associate chairman of Golkar Party, said.
He made the statement in response to the results of a recent survey by the Lingkaran Survey Indonesia (LSI) regarding the public`s perception on junior and senior politicians.
Priyo who is currently deputy speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) said he could understand that the 2014 presidential election would be the last momentum for senior politicians.
He said senior politicians` interest in running for president could not be stopped. However, he hoped senior politicians would not undermine, much less try to stop, the wish of junior politicians to emerge as candidates.
He said the results of surveys by different pollsters varied and some were credible while others were ridiculous.
"I myself still respect them. To those who say the surveys are not credible, I would say let the public decide whether they are credible or not," he said.
Priyo said it appeared the recent survey by LSI regarding junior and senior politicians was intended to undermine junior politicians.
He said some junior politicians had been disadvantaged by their links to a number of problems.
He said however there were other young politicians who had a good track record but had yet to catch the public`s attention.
"They hold strategic positions as party leaders or public office holders such as in the leadership of the People`s Consultative Assembly (MPR), DPR, and Constitutional Court," he said.
Priyo said junior politicians had the potential to become candidates. He hoped they would not be hindered by tendentious survey results.
(T.R024/H-YH/HAJM/S012)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
