Civil servants want seats in the House<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The six-million strong corps of civil servants
\n(Korpri), known for its affiliation with the ruling Golkar, says
\nit wishes to have House of Representatives seats allotted to its
\nmembers.<\/p>\n
Korpri chairman Suryatna Soebrata said here yesterday that
\nthis arrangement would solve many problems, including that of its
\nmuch-criticized loyalty to Golkar. \"It's probably a good idea,\"
\nSuryatna said.<\/p>\n
Suryatna, also secretary-general of the Home Affairs Ministry,
\nwas commenting on suggestions from political analysts that corps
\nmembers should not vote in general elections because of their
\ndual loyalty toward Golkar and the public they serve.<\/p>\n
\"Regarding its status, it would be probably good if Korpri
\nmembers are represented by appointment in the House of
\nRepresentatives. That way, they wouldn't need to waste their
\nenergy voting in the election,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Analysts often compare the corps with the Armed Forces, whose
\nmembers do not vote but are staunch supporters of Golkar. Korpri
\nmembers face a dilemma because they are public servants,
\nsupposedly neutral, as well as historically Golkar supporters.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian civil service does not play a neutral role on
\nthe political scene and has proclaimed itself a proponent of the
\nruling Golkar faction.<\/p>\n
The corps formed part of Golkar's election machinery in past
\nyears, sending its members to Golkar election rallies nationwide.<\/p>\n
At its recent congress in September this year, Korpri
\nreaffirmed the support for Golkar which is stated in its Social,
\nPolitical and Legal Guidelines.<\/p>\n
Korpri is one of three main components in the make-up of
\nGolkar leadership. The other two are the Armed Forces and mass
\norganizations.<\/p>\n
The corps has a membership of some six million people, 4
\nmillion in the bureaucracy and another 2 million in state-owned
\ncompanies.<\/p>\n
The two minority political parties, the United Development
\nParty and the Indonesian Democratic Party, have long complained
\nabout the regulation requiring government employees to vote for
\nGolkar.<\/p>\n
Suryatna insists that the decision to allocate seats for
\nKorpri in the House should mainly depend on the national
\nconsensus.<\/p>\n
\"The Armed Forces's dual function was determined by a majority
\nof Indonesians,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Votes<\/p>\n
Separately yesterday, Golkar chairman Harmoko denied ever
\nboasting that the organization, if it wanted to, would be able to
\nwin 100 percent of the vote in the election next year.<\/p>\n
\"That would be impossible because the other political
\ncontestants also strive to obtain as many votes as possible,\" he
\nsaid after briefing a gathering of chiefs of provincial and
\ndistrict military commands in Bandung yesterday.<\/p>\n
The chairman was commenting on a media report which claimed he
\nhad said Golkar wanted a 100 percent win.<\/p>\n
Insisting that Golkar would attempt to win the 1997 election
\nin a fair manner, Harmoko said the organization was determined to
\nwin at least 70.02 percent of the vote next May 29.<\/p>\n
Golkar has won all five elections held under President
\nSoeharto. In 1992, it took 68 percent of the vote, a big margin
\nbut a drop from the 73 percent it won in 1987.<\/p>\n
Golkar is contesting the election against the United
\nDevelopment Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party. Only 425
\nof 500 seats are up for grabs as 75 are reserved for the Armed
\nForces, whose members do not vote. (imn\/21)<\/p>",
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