Golkar still upbeat on chances<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A former Golkar patron joined on Wednesday the
\nchorus of demands for the ruling party to leave the political
\nstage, saying the act would be a political and moral lesson for
\nthe nation.<\/p>\n
But in its latest statement, Golkar, far from showing fear at
\nthe mounting backlash, remained upbeat about winning 40 percent
\nof the vote in Monday's elections. Such a result would be more
\nthan enough to maintain its long-held grip, given the fact that
\n48 parties will contest the polls.<\/p>\n
Siswono Yudohusodo, twice a Cabinet minister under Soeharto,
\nsaid Golkar should give to reformist parties and spend time on
\nthe sideline to consider its past mistakes.<\/p>\n
\"If I'm asked who will win next week's polls, I wish that
\nGolkar loses, not because I hate it but because it has led the
\nnation into adversity,\" Siswono, who is now a patron of the
\nJustice and Unity Party (PKP), said.<\/p>\n
However, Siswono was against any effort to ban Golkar, saying
\nthat it instead could act as a good opposition to the new
\ngovernment while in temporary seclusion.<\/p>\n
\"If the government fails, Golkar, after smarting from its
\nmistakes, could regain power,\" Siswono said as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
Recent polls rated Golkar as an unlikely winner, placing it
\nbehind the likes of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
\nled by Megawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
Reuters quoted Golkar as saying in a statement that it
\nexpected to win 30 percent of the vote in populous Java and 55
\npercent in the rest of the country.<\/p>\n
\"Golkar is still deeply rooted in the hearts of the people
\nfrom all walks of life, and the people, especially in the rural
\nareas, still believe strongly that through Golkar the intended
\nchanges could be achieved,\" Golkar's statement said. (amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/golkar-still-upbeat-on-chances-1447893297",
"image": ""
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