Golkar offers stability, Marzuki says<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Ruling Golkar claims it is the only party
\ncapable of maintaining political stability when a new government
\nis formed after the general election.<\/p>\n
Golkar deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman told The Jakarta Post
\non Wednesday that unlike other parties, Golkar would avoid the
\ncomplicated and potentially destructive process of internal
\nconsolidation if it formed the new government.<\/p>\n
"Let's say Golkar leaves the government after losing to a
\ncoalition of parties. People will raise the valid question of how
\ncan they survive the infighting centering on disputing claims of
\nposition, not to mention the unimaginable relationship between
\nthe new government and the Armed Forces," Marzuki said.<\/p>\n
"Golkar's strongest possible challengers, the National
\nAwakening Party (PKB) and the Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan) may have experience in forming a
\ncoalition government, but it was a very long time ago."<\/p>\n
PKB and PDI Perjuangan are touted as heirs to the Nahdlatul
\nUlama and the Indonesian National Party of the 1950s
\nrespectively. Both parties have hinted at a coalition.<\/p>\n
A record 48 parties will contest the June 7 election. Parties
\nwill have less than three months after the poll to negotiate
\npossible coalitions.<\/p>\n
Marzuki insisted the stability Golkar offered had nothing to
\ndo with economic recovery or security guarantees, but would first
\nof all deal with administrative affairs.<\/p>\n
"Golkar has proven its ability to handle problems in making
\npolicy and executing policies," said Marzuki, who chairs the
\nGolkar faction in the People's Consultative Assembly.<\/p>\n
Marzuki said the issue of stability would attract voters only
\nif the current economic crisis and sporadic sectarian conflicts
\neased.<\/p>\n
He predicted that the issues of justice and possible
\npresidential candidates would highlight election rallies.<\/p>\n
"But Golkar is not going to preach to people about justice
\nbecause they won't believe us. We will just let our challengers
\nexploit the issue to woo their potential voters."<\/p>\n
Golkar has seen its popularity dwindle since the fall of
\nformer president Soeharto, who was the party's chief patron, in
\nMay last year. Demands for the party to be held accountable for
\nalleged widespread corruption, collusion and nepotism have come
\nfrom numerous quarters.<\/p>\n
The issue of presidential candidates also could help Golkar
\nattract voters, according to Marzuki, if the party ended its old
\ntradition of naming only one candidate.<\/p>\n
"Multiple presidential candidates will show people that Golkar
\nhas already changed."<\/p>\n
In its first congress since officially being declared a
\npolitical party earlier this month, Golkar named five possible
\npresidential candidates. They are President B.J. Habibie, party
\nchairman Akbar Tandjung, Armed Forces Commander\/Minister of
\nSecurity and Defense Gen. Wiranto, Minister of Justice Muladi,
\nYogyakarta Sultan Hamengkubuwono X and Coordinating Minister for
\nEconomy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita.<\/p>\n
But Akbar, despite considerable support, threw in the towel
\nbefore the competition began and opted to back Habibie.<\/p>\n
Marzuki said as of March, Golkar had secured 20 percent of the
\n25 percent of votes it would need to win the elections for a
\nseventh straight time. Most of the support comes from provinces
\noutside Java.<\/p>\n
"People in remote areas tend to favor the status quo and show
\nlittle resentment toward the government compared to people in
\nJava."<\/p>\n
He also predicted more support from Chinese-Indonesians,
\nparticularly businesspeople who fled the country during the May
\nriots. "Many of them have returned to the country and have
\nprovided funds to us," Marzuki said, adding they did so
\nvoluntarily.<\/p>\n
Marzuki admitted Golkar's position as incumbent and its
\ntraditional alliance with the Armed Forces (ABRI) would provide
\nGolkar many advantages.<\/p>\n
"It's very likely that despite its pledge to be neutral, ABRI
\nwill take measures in favor of Golkar, although I don't know how.
\nIt makes sense because they expect something from Golkar."<\/p>\n
In the past, Golkar received the full support of both the
\nbureaucracy and ABRI.<\/p>\n
With no single party expected to win the majority of votes,
\nMarzuki said Golkar was prepared to coalesce with other parties,
\nincluding PKB.<\/p>\n
Marzuki said in the long run, a multiethnic and multireligious
\nIndonesia should establish a moderate multiparty system dominated
\nby a nationalistic mainstream. He said Golkar and the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) represented the
\nmainstream the most and were the two parties most likely to win
\nthe future elections. (amd)<\/p>",
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