Akbar claims firm support in Golkar<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung brushed aside
\nreported attempts by detractors to unseat him saying he still had
\nsolid support from at least 19 of 27 provincial chapters.<\/p>\n
Citing party statutes, Akbar said on Friday that an
\nextraordinary congress which dissenters sought in order to
\neventually dissolve the central executive board could only be
\nstaged if it was demanded by at least two thirds of the chapters.<\/p>\n
\"I hope the remaining eight chapters will also reconsider
\ntheir stance and I am ready to listen to their wishes,\" Akbar
\nsaid in a media conference at the ruling party's headquarters in
\nWest Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Akbar confirmed 12 Golkar branches in Irian Jaya, Maluku,
\nNorth Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Central
\nSulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan,
\nJambi, East Timor and Jakarta signed a resolution to demand an
\nextraordinary congress. Four chapters -- West Nusa Tenggara,
\nJambi, East Kalimantan and South Kalimantan -- later reversed
\ntheir stance, however, Akbar said.<\/p>\n
\"They now express support for us,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said the 12 chapters previously demanded he immediately
\ndismiss deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman whom they accused of
\nopposing the candidacy of incumbent President B.J. Habibie in the
\ncoming presidential election.<\/p>\n
\"They threatened to hold a special congress to replace me if I
\ndid not dismiss Marzuki,\" Akbar said.<\/p>\n
He alleged the pro-Habibie group also condemned Marzuki's
\nmeeting and later the agreement on the stance of the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) executive Kwik Kian
\nGie over the Bank Bali interbank debt scandal which so far
\nimplicated Habibie.<\/p>\n
According to media reports, the chairmen of the 12 chapters
\nsigned a petition one day after they met with Supreme Advisory
\nCouncil (DPA) chairman A.A. Baramuli at his residence in Jakarta
\non Aug. 15. The chairmen were then in Jakarta to attend a party
\nmeeting on Aug. 13.<\/p>\n
A Golkar executive, Marwah Daud Ibrahim, confirmed the meeting
\nat Baramuli's residence. She said Marzuki's statements, including
\non the Bank Bali scandal, were often against the party's official
\nline.<\/p>\n
\"Marwah wanted to correct my leadership, but rather than
\ntalking directly to me as her chairman, she talked to the media,\"
\nAkbar said.<\/p>\n
Baramuli boasted on Friday that he had gained the support of
\n19 Golkar chapters to discipline Marzuki over his rejection of
\nHabibie's candidacy.<\/p>\n
\"I signed the petition with 19 Golkar provincial chapters, not
\njust 12, to discipline Marzuki,\" Baramuli crowed.<\/p>\n
Power<\/p>\n
Akbar acknowledged that Baramuli was one of Golkar's advisors,
\nbut quickly added that an advisor neither had the power nor the
\nauthority to directly deal with provincial chapters without the
\nchairman's approval.<\/p>\n
He also denied allegations that it was Marzuki who leaked the
\nBank Bali documents to the media. Instead, Akbar praised Marzuki,
\nwho is also the chairman of the respected National Commission on
\nHuman Rights, for striving to improve the party's image,
\nespecially in the international community.<\/p>\n
Akbar also defended Marzuki's critical views of the President
\nas being based on his observations as an intellectual.<\/p>\n
\"The international community regards Marzuki as a very
\ncredible figure,\" said Akbar, who was minister\/state secretary
\nuntil May.<\/p>\n
He disclosed that Kwik Kian Gie wanted to expose the Bank Bali
\nscandal during the President's meeting with winners of the
\ngeneral election at Merdeka Palace on Aug. 3.<\/p>\n
\"I advised him not to raise the issue there because it could
\n(adversely) affect the meeting atmosphere,\" said Akbar.<\/p>\n
Akbar said it was natural if Habibie established his own team
\nof strategists to ensure his victory in the presidential
\nelection, although he was already chairing a special team to
\nensure Habibie's presidency.<\/p>\n
He said Habibie's team was expected to focus work on improving
\nthe President's public appearance and style. \"Or, for instance,
\nadvising him not talk too much,\" said Akbar as he burst into
\nlaughter.<\/p>\n
Despite being implicated in the Bank Bali scandal, Akbar said
\nHabibie's chance in the presidential election was still quite
\nhigh especially if the President was able to settle the scandal.<\/p>\n
\"If it (the Bank Bali case) is against the law, he must not
\nhesitate to make a decision,\" said Akbar.<\/p>\n
Palace officials and Akbar's aides said the President summoned
\nAkbar to his private residence on Wednesday and had a heated
\ndiscussion with the latter. The President was reportedly annoyed
\nby Akbar's remark that it was possible for the ruling party to
\nreverse its support for Habibie if it failed to gain significant
\nendorsement from other political parties.<\/p>\n
\"I just said we could reevaluate our support if we failed to
\nget significant support for our candidate,\" Akbar hinted.<\/p>\n
Akbar confirmed some members of the Golkar faction in the
\nHouse of Representatives (DPR) demanded the dismissal of Minister
\nof Finance Bambang Subianto and Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril
\nSabirin for their alleged involvement in the Bank Bali case.<\/p>\n
\"I have received their report,\" said Akbar but refused to give
\ndetails.<\/p>\n
In Yogyakarta, Gadjah Mada University rector Ichlasul Amal
\nurged Akbar to punish those who were involved in the campaign to
\ntopple the party executive board.<\/p>\n
\"Old figures in the party like Baramuli have become
\ntroublemakers,\" said Ichlasul. (prb\/44)<\/p>",
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