Two more refuse to join new Golkar executive board<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Two more politicians, Sudarko Prawiroyudho and
\nThomas Suyatno, refused yesterday to join the new Golkar
\nexecutive board, bringing the number of people who have declined
\nto 11.<\/p>\n
The number is expected to increase further. People whose names
\nwere on the list were given until 6 p.m. yesterday to confirm
\ntheir acceptance.<\/p>\n
The nine who have already resigned are Indra Bambang Utojo,
\nDidit Hariyadi, Tjahyo Kumolo, Krissantono, Watty Amir, Salim
\nSaid, Jimly Assidiqie, Abubakar Umar and Setiawan Djodi.<\/p>\n
New Golkar chief Akbar Tanjung named Soedarko, known as a
\nJavanese puppet player, as the coordinator of the art and culture
\ndepartment last week.<\/p>\n
Soedarko said that he decided not to accept the appointment
\nbecause he was afraid he would not be able to dedicate his
\nexpertise to the arts if he joined Golkar.<\/p>\n
\"If I join Golkar, I'm afraid I will have to give Golkar
\nmessages every time I play wayang (shadow puppets),\" Soedarko was
\nquoted by Antara as saying.<\/p>\n
He said that he sent his resignation letter to the Golkar
\nexecutive board by courier on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Thomas, who was appointed a member of the education
\ndepartment, said that he decided not to accept the duty because
\nhe felt he was \"too senior\" for the title.<\/p>\n
\"I chaired the department for 10 years. Let a younger person
\nstep into my shoes now,\" Thomas said.<\/p>\n
Deputy chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights
\nMarzuki Darusman told The Jakarta Post that he had yet to decide
\nweather he would accept or reject Tanjung's offer.<\/p>\n
\"Let the dust (sparked by the internal bickering within
\nGolkar) settle naturally,\" said Marzuki, who was appointed one of
\nthe deputies to the Golkar secretary-general, without
\nelaborating.<\/p>\n
But when pressed further he also refused to say he would
\nreject the appointment.<\/p>\n
\"It doesn't necessarily mean I reject it, I just don't want to
\ncreate misunderstandings,\" he replied.<\/p>\n
In Semarang, Central Java, the local chapter of the Indonesian
\nTeachers Association (PGRI) announced it had decided to break
\nranks from Golkar.<\/p>\n
Its leader Karseno said that the Central Java PGRI members
\nwould be free to channel their political aspirations to any
\npolitical party in future general elections.<\/p>\n
Until last year's election, PGRI, which claims to have 1.4
\nmillion members, was a staunch supporter of Golkar.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, Tanjung downplayed the growing number of
\npoliticians who have rejected his invitations to join the Golkar
\nexecutive board.<\/p>\n
He maintained that the number was \"small\" and that the
\nresignations would not affect the political organization.<\/p>\n
Golkar's 138-strong new executive board has been widely
\ncriticized because it comprises many people affiliated to the
\ngovernment. Tanjung retains his post as minister\/state secretary.
\nCritics doubt Golkar will be able to accommodate demands for
\nreforms. (byg)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/two-more-refuse-to-join-new-golkar-executive-board-1447893297",
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