Golkar still the same<\/p>\n
From Sinar Pagi<\/p>\n
In my opinion, despite the claim made by the Functional Group
\n(Golkar) that it has scrapped the A, B and G channels, standing
\nrespectively for the Armed Forces, the bureaucracy and Golkar
\nitself, Golkar has not completely abandoned these channels.<\/p>\n
Golkar declaring itself as New Golkar most probably means that
\nit has now added the word \"Party\" after it, i.e. Golkar Party.
\nUnfortunately, the leaders are the same old people, namely the
\nNew Order breed of leaders, the kind of people always speaking of
\nthe law. In this country, the law belongs to government officials
\nand their cronies and is a means to protect themselves.<\/p>\n
Are civil servants neutral? Not yet, I dare say, because when
\nGolkar was declared a political party in Senayan some time ago,
\nthe civil servants were forced to attend by one of the ministers,
\nand government officials of echelon I from all ministries also
\nattended.<\/p>\n
And what about the neutrality that the Armed Forces (ABRI)
\nclaims as its stance? In fact, there is no such neutrality
\nbecause Golkar claims that ABRI's commander-in-chief is its
\ncandidate or best cadre!<\/p>\n
In view of the above, the upcoming general election must be
\nheld on a public holiday or on a day specially turned into a
\nholiday to ensure that there will be no intervention from the
\nminister in charge of civil servants' affairs and that department
\nheads can no longer influence their subordinates on election day.
\nTherefore, the problem pertaining to the civil servants' matter
\nin the general election must not concern political parties only
\nbecause government officials, from ministers down to subdistrict
\nand village heads, all civil servants, are not neutral yet
\nbecause of their concurrent positions in the government and in
\nGolkar. These are the people who are concerned only with their
\nposition and power. Golkar can still gather votes from
\norganizations of the wives of government officials and members of
\nABRI, such as Dharma Wanita and Pertiwi, and from private circles
\nclose to subdistrict and village heads.<\/p>\n
Now for Mr. Akbar Tandjung. Mr. Tandjung, you are a minister
\nbut you are involved in election campaigning. You know people are
\nleading a hard life and the country is in deep economic trouble.
\nIf ministers join the campaigning, who will take care of the
\nstate and the people? Mr. Tandjung, you'd better think more about
\nthe people's plight due to the economic recession and their lack
\nof nutrition and food. Unemployment is rising, as are the prices
\nof daily necessities. Riots break out in many places across the
\ncountry. What has the government done in this respect, Mr.
\nTandjung?<\/p>\n
Now to all. Do not blame Mr. Habibie. We must bear in mind
\nthat he is a technocrat and a former state minister for research
\nand technology. He is not an expert in political and economic
\naffairs. Therefore, leave the country's political and economic
\nproblems to ministers who are qualified in these matters.<\/p>\n
Mark my words: If we all realize that we live only once and
\nfor but a relatively short period, we will live in peace, free
\nfrom any avarice for position, power and wealth.<\/p>\n
EKO ARDIYANTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/golkar-still-the-same-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }