Soeharto still controls Golkar<\/p>\n
What we witnessed on Monday was nothing other than the fact
\nthat (the ruling party) Golkar is still in turmoil. First, there
\nwas the issue of the grouping's planned coordinating meeting,
\nwhich was to be held at the Armed Forces Headquarters at
\nCilangkap. Second, a request was subsequently received for the
\ncancellation of the Cilangkap meeting. The request was made by
\nH.M. Soeharto, the former president, and was presented by (former
\nvice president) Try Sutrisno. The reason for the request:
\nSoeharto wanted the Golkar board of patrons to meet before the
\ncoordinating meeting was held.<\/p>\n
There is quite possibly nothing out of the ordinary in Golkar
\nholding its meeting at the Armed Forces Headquarters.
\nNevertheless, the meeting that is being planned by the party that
\nhas dominated almost every aspect of life for more than 30 years
\nhas left an unsavory impression among the public. The explanation
\nthat was given by the Minister of Defense\/Armed Forces Chief
\nWiranto reflects perhaps some of the feelings of envy that exist
\namong other sociopolitical organizations, who perceive the Armed
\nForces as still siding with Golkar.<\/p>\n
The impression of confusion is also difficult to shed. Why was
\nthe plan to hold such an important meeting -- and, it should be
\nnoted, one that was to be held at the Armed Forced Headquarters
\n-- not discussed in advance with the chairman of the Golkar board
\nof patrons, who happens to be former president Soeharto? The
\nimpression is that there was no coordination. Each of Golkar's
\nleaders appeared to be intent on going his own way.<\/p>\n
In any case, the fact that the coordinating meeting was
\ncanceled at the \"request\" of the group's board of patrons shows
\nthat the presence of the chief patron still cannot be simply
\ndisregarded. In other words, without even having to leave his
\nCendana home, Soeharto still has the capability to control the
\nmajority seat holder in the national legislature. In order to
\nbecome an independent party, Golkar still has to learn a good
\ndeal about how to shed its dependence on pointers and directives
\nfrom above.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/soeharto-still-controls-golkar-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }