Golkar's future still bright, says Rudini<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The future of the ruling political organization
\nGolkar is bright if it can prove its effectiveness as a true
\nrepresentation of the people's aspirations, said political
\nobserver Rudini yesterday.<\/p>\n
Speaking in a discussion with Jakarta-based political
\ncorrespondents, he said Golkar should not be rigid in responding
\nto voices for reform.<\/p>\n
\"Golkar's future will completely rest on its commitment to
\ntransform itself into a purely political party,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The once dominant faction's future now appears in limbo, as
\ntraditional allies have broken ranks and its chairman Harmoko
\nfaces a possible revolt in the coming Golkar extraordinary
\nsession in two weeks.<\/p>\n
The new political climate has also given birth to a more
\nrelaxed political system with new political parties cropping up
\nalmost daily and a new electoral and political party law expected
\nsoon, all of which could diminish the stranglehold of power held
\nby Golkar for so long.<\/p>\n
Analysts have even predicted that Golkar and the other two
\nmain political parties -- the United Development Party and the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party -- would soon disappear in line with
\nthe demise of former president Soeharto's rule.<\/p>\n
Rudini, formerly a minister of home affairs, however said he
\nwas confident that Golkar could still win the people's support
\nand sympathy, if it could transform itself.<\/p>\n
\"At least people in the villages still have trust in Golkar,\"
\nhe claimed.<\/p>\n
Rudini, who now chairs the Institute for Strategic Studies of
\nIndonesia, said one of Golkar's first moves must be erasing the
\nexclusiveness of its membership recruitment.<\/p>\n
\"There are not supposed to be A, B and G categories in
\nGolkar's membership anymore,\" he said, referring to the three
\nmain components of Golkar.<\/p>\n
\"A\" represents the Armed Forces (ABRI), \"B\" is Bureaucrats and
\n\"G\" other social and religious elements.<\/p>\n
Golkar was established in October 1964 as an amalgamation of
\nseven organizations which included the Armed Forces, labor
\norganization SOKSI, cooperative movement Kosgoro and the
\nMusyawarah Kekeluargaan Gotong Royong (MKGR).<\/p>\n
Political observers say that at least four factions now in the
\nruling political organization have an interest in seeing Golkar
\nmaintain its supremacy in the country's political arena.<\/p>\n
One group is said to be connected to Coordinating Minister for
\nEconomy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita, the second
\nis connected to Soeharto's supporters and led by former Golkar
\nofficial Rachmat Witoelar.<\/p>\n
The third group is connected to President B.J. Habibie, while
\nthe fourth is a coalition of retired ABRI officials.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the Armed Forces' stance if the ongoing economic
\ncrisis later develops into a chaotic situation, Rudini expressed
\nconfidence that ABRI would not exploit the situation to prop up a
\nmilitary junta.<\/p>\n
\"I am sure that ABRI will remain objective in viewing the
\ncrisis,\" said Rudini who has also served as Army Chief of Staff.<\/p>\n
\"ABRI may temporarily take control over such a chaotic
\nsituation, but it would return the mandate to the People's
\nConsultative Assembly when the situation returned to normal,\" he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
He also dismissed speculations that Armed Forces chief Gen.
\nWiranto's close ties with former president Soeharto would affect
\nhis and the armed forces headquarters' commitment for reform.<\/p>\n
\"His close ties with Pak Harto are merely like a father-and-
\nson relationship,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Rudini said that he saw no indication that Wiranto still works
\nfor Soeharto.<\/p>\n
\"Should the relationship develop into a political alliance,
\nWiranto will face strong opposition from the whole nation,\" he
\nsaid of the Armed Forces commander who once served as adjutant to
\nthe country's second president. (imn)<\/p>",
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