Golkar: Past and present<\/p>\n
From Pikiran Rakyat<\/p>\n
The Functional Group (Golkar) assumes a unique position in
\nthis reform era. Akbar Tandjung's recent reaction shows that on
\nthe one hand, it does not see the need to apologize but, on the
\nother, it realizes that during the New Order era it subjugated
\nitself to the autocratic power of the president.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Golkar does not wish to be continuously cornered
\nand discredited because it has now made a resolve to correct its
\npast mistakes and improve itself, notwithstanding the fact that
\nit comprises the same personnel and organization.<\/p>\n
It would be a good idea if, apart from making the above
\nstatement, Golkar's general chairman also admits that Golkar --
\nlimited to its figure heads and executive board members and
\ncertainly excluding common members or civil servants who were
\ncompelled to join -- also benefited, directly and indirectly,
\nfrom this corrupt era.<\/p>\n
It is not surprising, therefore, that people have the opinion
\nthat high-ranking Golkar officials are but a band of faithful
\nfollowers of the New Order. That's why from a radical point of
\nview, there is no place for Golkar -- a superior product of the
\nNew Order regime -- in this reform era, just like the now-defunct
\nIndonesian Communist Party, which was accorded no room in the New
\nOrder era after the collapse of the Old Order regime.<\/p>\n
History has noted, however, that basing themselves on national
\nunity, human rights and democracy, the proreform proponents have
\nshown their tolerance by allowing Golkar to maintain its
\nexistence. So, sparing no time, Golkar has held regional
\nconferences across the country -- far ahead of the official
\ncampaign schedule for the 1999 general election -- with four of
\nits chairmen, all serving as ministers in Habibie's cabinet,
\ntaking turns to chair these conferences. In this context, it is
\nsimply hoped that tolerating Golkar's existence will not pose a
\nproblem that the proreform proponents have to solve in future.<\/p>\n
At this juncture, it is no exaggeration to expect that the
\nreaction made by Akbar Tandjung, as referred to earlier, should
\nbe coupled with an appeal to all high-ranking Golkar officials
\nthat they should not only regret having served as effective
\ninstruments in the hands of the New Order rulers but should also,
\nfirst of all, repent to God for what they have done. They should
\nalso be called upon to donate to the people all material assets
\nthey amassed during the New Order era. They should do it right
\nnow while there is still time to do so before they are brought to
\nthe court of law for alleged practices of corruption, collusion
\nand nepotism.<\/p>\n
In this way, God willing, they will be forgiven by God, and
\nthe sharp criticism and condemnation heaped upon them will,
\nhopefully, be reduced.<\/p>\n
ISKANDAR RAIS<\/p>\n
Bandung<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/golkar-past-and-present-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }