Golkar internal pressure increases against Akbar<\/p>\n
Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Senior Golkar leaders opposed to Akbar Tandjung's leadership,
\nboth in the party and at the House of Representatives, have
\npredicted that the convicted corrupter will eventually bow to
\npublic pressure and quit the two top posts.<\/p>\n
Golkar co-chairwoman Marwah Daud Ibrahim, one of Akbar's
\nstaunchest critics within the party, said on Monday the move to
\nunseat Akbar was snowballing.<\/p>\n
\"Support from within and outside Golkar for the demand that
\nAkbar resign has been increasing very fast. We are optimistic
\nthat Bang Akbar will heed (the demand),\" she told The Jakarta
\nPost.<\/p>\n
In addition to this, Akbar has pledged that at \"the right
\ntime\" he will make the \"proper decision\" for the party, following
\nhis corruption conviction earlier this month, she added.<\/p>\n
Marwah, from the Iramasuka camp, which stands for Irian Jaya
\n(Papua), Maluku, Sulawesi and Kalimantan, was the first Golkar
\nexecutive bluntly to tell Akbar to resign after he was convicted
\nof misusing Rp 40 billion (US$4.4 million) in funds from the
\nState Logistics Agency (Bulog) earlier this month.<\/p>\n
Another Golkar co-chairman, Agung Laksono, made a public call
\non Saturday for Akbar to resign.<\/p>\n
Other high-ranking executives in the party, including Theo L.
\nSambuaga, Fahmi Idris, Marzuki Darusman and Aulia Rachman,
\nreportedly voiced opposition to Akbar's leadership during a
\nclosed-door meeting on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
Marwah said she believed more Golkar leaders would come out
\nagainst Akbar as public pressure against him increased.<\/p>\n
She said she had received phone calls from executives at
\nnumerous Golkar branches in the provinces and regencies,
\ndemanding that Akbar be suspended as House speaker and party
\nchairman in order to save the party.<\/p>\n
Leaders of all Golkar's provincial chapters, along with the
\nparty's central board, earlier held a series of meetings to
\nmaintain Akbar as the party's chairman, but Marwah said the
\nleaders could change their minds.<\/p>\n
\"According to the proper procedures of the party, Golkar's
\nprovincial leaders have to consult with the regency branches
\nbefore making any strategic decisions. Otherwise, it is only a
\npersonal desire,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Marwah said if Akbar insisted on retaining his posts, nobody
\nwould benefit, including Akbar.<\/p>\n
\"We sincerely want to save Golkar and Pak Akbar's future
\npolitical career. Rather than become a target of hatred among
\nlegislators, he would be better off resigning. This would help
\nrestore his credibility and integrity,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Akbar was sentenced by the Central Jakarta District Court on
\nSept. 4 to three years in jail for misappropriating Rp 40 billion
\nin Bulog funds. He remains free pending a hearing of his appeal
\nof the conviction.<\/p>\n
Marwah told Akbar to respect the decision of the court by
\ntemporarily relinquishing his seat in the House, while asking the
\nnation to allow him to resume his state duties should he be
\nacquitted of all charges by a higher court.<\/p>\n
\"That would be fair,\" she said.<\/p>\n
She flatly denied claims by Akbar's allies that Golkar lacked
\nleaders capable of replacing Akbar, and that the party would
\ncrack should he resign the chairmanship.<\/p>\n
\"I simply don't believe all of these things. I can give you
\nthe names of a hundred people that could be nominated as the new
\nleader of Golkar. That is just a political statement,\" she said.<\/p>",
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