Golkar campaign focuses on Busang, corruption issues<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Corruption issues and other scandals were a
\nfocal point at Golkar campaign rallies yesterday in Sulawesi and
\nKalimantan.<\/p>\n
In Manado, Golkar functionary Ginandjar Kartasasmita commented
\non the Busang gold hoax and the controversial Timor national car
\nproject.<\/p>\n
Ginandjar, who is the Minister of National Planning, said
\npolice should promptly investigate whether any public officials
\nwere involved in the fraud which was uncovered recently. He said
\na hasty conclusion was needed on the matter.<\/p>\n
As a former minister of mines and energy, Ginandjar said the
\nscandal would not be detrimental to the Indonesian mining
\nindustry.<\/p>\n
It will not greatly effect investment in that sector, he
\nconfidently told the rally as reported by Antara.<\/p>\n
\"Who can really know the exact contents embedded in the
\nearth?\" he asked, adding that his statement should not be
\ninterpreted as an excuse for the debacle or defense for his
\ncolleagues in government.<\/p>\n
Ginandjar asked Golkar supporters not to be discouraged by the
\ninternationally maligned Timor car project.<\/p>\n
He called on them not to be swayed by propaganda from those
\nparties who were adverse to the project. Ginandjar defended the
\nproject, saying it would economize costs.<\/p>\n
\"We have to look at the substance of the issue that the mobnas
\n(national car) is being pursued for the sake of efficiency,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
In response to a young women's concern over corruption,
\nGinandjar said it was a bureaucratic disease plaguing the
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
He underlined the need to develop an effective monitoring
\nsystem to prevent such misdeeds and the importance of a
\ntransparent bureaucracy.<\/p>\n
While saying that he was not defending Indonesia's record,
\nGinandjar said that corruption occurred in almost every country
\nin the world including those which are more developed.<\/p>\n
He said an important remedy against corruption was improving
\ncivil servants' welfare. That way, he said, civil servants
\nwouldn't think about stealing state money.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, on the campaign trail in Banjarmasin, South
\nKalimantan, Minister of Education Wardiman Djojonegoro, told a
\nrally that all levels of society must join in the fight against
\ncorruption.<\/p>\n
He said Golkar would like the people to help fight corruption
\nand all forms of collusion.<\/p>\n
Apart from corruption, Wardiman reiterated Golkar's plan to
\neliminate poverty.<\/p>\n
Poverty was also the theme in Parepare, South Sulawesi, as
\nBeddu Amang, currently Chairman of the Logistics Board, professed
\nGolkar's intent to improving people's welfare.<\/p>\n
But the highlight of the rally was a performance by beautiful
\nfemale famous vocalists singing songs eulogizing the dominant
\nparty.<\/p>\n
In Singkawang, West Kalimantan, Golkar functionary
\nDjamaloeddin Soeryohadikoesoemo, called for calm and unity among
\nthe people in the province which was recently rocked by racial
\nviolence.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, Golkar Secretary-General Achmad Moestahid Astari
\nsaid his party was not perturbed against recent \"political
\nmoves\".<\/p>\n
\"Golkar isn't edgy about this, we've consolidated quite
\nwell... In fact we've told the other parties to beware of
\ninfiltration to undermine them and create havoc,\" Achmad said
\nyesterday without saying who the adverse elements were.<\/p>\n
During yesterday's televised campaign dialog, Siti Hardiyanti
\nRukmana, President Soeharto's daughter, asserted Golkar's concern
\ntoward women's issues. \"Women are an important and integral part
\nof development,\" she said wearing yellow attire.<\/p>\n
She said women bore more responsibilities than just a
\nhousemaker and bearer of children. (mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/golkar-campaign-focuses-on-busang-corruption-issues-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}