Golkar suspensions weaken pro-Mega coalition: Analysts<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Golkar's decision to suspend several of its members would affect
\na major coalition led by the biggest party to help President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri retain power in Monday's election runoff,
\nanalysts say.<\/p>\n
\"Instead of bringing benefit to the coalition, the dismissals
\nwould have a negative impact on its support for Megawati,\"
\npolitical analyst Maswadi Rauf told the press here on Friday.<\/p>\n
He explained that the suspensions would worsen the internal
\nbickering within Golkar as several regional chapters of the party
\nmay switch allegiance for Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and running
\nmate Jusuf Kalla.<\/p>\n
The suspension of more than 10 Golkar executives could have a
\nboomerang effect on the Nationhood Coalition and present a bad
\nimage to Golkar supporters ahead of the Sept. 20 election, added
\nMaswadi from the University of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The pro-Megawati coalition comprises Golkar, the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the United Development
\nParty (PPP) and the Prosperous Peace Party (PDS).<\/p>\n
Golkar's decision to give its official backing to Megawati and
\nHasyim Muzadi was announced after its presidential candidate
\nWiranto and running mate Solahuddin Wahid lost in the first round
\nof the election on July 5.<\/p>\n
Senior Golkar leader Fahmi Idris and his 10 allies were
\nsuspended by the party's central board for refusing to support
\nMegawati in the upcoming election. Kalla was also made non-active
\nas a Golkar advisor.<\/p>\n
Fahmi and other dissenting executives claimed their suspension
\nwas illegal, arguing that the decision was made in violation of
\nthe organization's procedures. They had formed a Golkar Reform
\nForum to solicit support for Susilo-Kalla.<\/p>\n
Sukardi Rinakit from the Soegeng Sarjadi Syndicated pollster
\nsaid that the suspensions had nothing to do with the current
\npolitical constellation in the country.<\/p>\n
Several surveys have shown that Susilo and Kalla would win the
\npresidential election, he said.<\/p>\n
\"People already have their preferences. The Golkar conflict
\nwill not affect them,\" Sukardi added.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung said on Friday that
\nthe coalition to support Megawati-Hasyim was solid, while
\nboasting that he is still warmly greeted by party members in the
\nregions.<\/p>\n
Separately, Golkar deputy chairman Agung Laksono said the
\nparty's dissident politicians would still be given a chance to
\nrepent by ceasing their activities.<\/p>\n
However, Marzuki Darusman, who was among the suspended Golkar
\nmembers, said he would return the suspension letter to the
\nparty's central executive board.<\/p>\n
Because the suspension violated the Golkar's organizational
\nrules, it should not be respected, he said.<\/p>\n
Based on the rules, Marzuki said, a second warning from the
\nGolkar central board must be issued within 20 days after the
\nfirst warning and the suspension must be decided 10 days after
\nthe second warning.<\/p>\n
In fact, the Golkar central board issued the first and second
\nwarnings on Sept. 2 and 8 respectively. The suspension was
\nannounced last Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The organizational rules also state that suspension must also
\nbe made after hearing clarification from those members who are to
\nbe suspended.<\/p>\n
\"How can the party's central board hand down punishment before
\nasking for clarification from us?\" Marzuki asked.<\/p>",
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