Golkar Party's next convention may see internal contention<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The next phase of the Golkar Party's series of conventions to
\nselect a presidential candidate looks to become a stage to test
\nthe influence of the rivals of party leader Akbar Tandjung.<\/p>\n
The final convention scheduled for April 20 may see heated
\ndebate as some regency chapters plan to propose a revision of the
\nrules to improve the chances of Akbar's rivals in winning the
\nnomination.<\/p>\n
But an analyst here said the reputation Akbar earned in
\nleading the party in the difficult days following the fall of its
\nformer patron Soeharto would see him through to the candidacy.<\/p>\n
Usman Hasan, the head of the nomination team for Surya Paloh,
\none of Akbar's rivals, said on Wednesday his team would help
\nparty chapters propose that the convention become a two-round
\nelection, in order to help the eventual nominee get \"convincing
\nsupport\".<\/p>\n
One of Golkar's six presidential hopefuls will win the
\nconvention if he can secure a simple majority from a total of 564
\nvotes. Of this figure, regency chapters, which will be
\nrepresented by their leaders, will have a combined 440 votes.<\/p>\n
The six candidates are Golkar leader Akbar Tandjung, former
\nmilitary chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto, media baron Surya Paloh,
\nformer Army Strategic Reserves commander Lt. Gen. (ret) Prabowo
\nSubianto, businessman Aburizal Bakrie and Coordinating Minister
\nfor People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla.<\/p>\n
\"Proposal for a revision can be floated during the
\ndeliberation of the rules before the six presidential hopefuls
\nexplain their programs,\" Usman said.<\/p>\n
The series of conventions began in May last year when Akbar
\nTandjung was still facing charges of embezzling some Rp 40
\nbillion in state funds. He was convicted of the charge by the
\nlower courts but the Supreme Court overturned the conviction in
\nFebruary, clearing the way for Akbar to run for president.<\/p>\n
Golkar was originally to name its presidential candidate last
\nFebruary, but a preconvention meeting last October agreed to
\ndelay the process until after the April 5 legislative election.<\/p>\n
The delay was seen as an effort to buy time for Akbar's case
\nto be heard by the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n
Observers say Akbar's main contenders for the nomination are
\nWiranto and Surya Paloh, who have intensified efforts to block
\nAkbar by organizing meetings with leaders of several of the
\nparty's regency chapters. These meetings have been criticized by
\nGolkar officials, who cited fear of \"money politics\".<\/p>\n
Representatives of the Wiranto and Surya camps acknowledged
\norganizing the meetings but denied any money politics.<\/p>\n
Should the two-round convention be endorsed, it would provide
\nlikely either Wiranto or Surya another chance to challenge Akbar
\nin a second round of voting.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, political analyst Bachtiar Effendy said the
\nleaders of Golkar's regency chapters would likely vote for
\ncandidates who had shown their dedication to the party.<\/p>\n
And Akbar, he said, still looks the favorite because he is
\nseen as having built and consolidated the party during the
\ndifficult times after the fall of the New Order regime.<\/p>",
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