Akbar claims firm support in Golkar

Akbar claims firm support in Golkar

JAKARTA (JP): Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung brushed aside
reported attempts by detractors to unseat him saying he still had
solid support from at least 19 of 27 provincial chapters.

Citing party statutes, Akbar said on Friday that an
extraordinary congress which dissenters sought in order to
eventually dissolve the central executive board could only be
staged if it was demanded by at least two thirds of the chapters.

"I hope the remaining eight chapters will also reconsider
their stance and I am ready to listen to their wishes," Akbar
said in a media conference at the ruling party's headquarters in
West Jakarta.

Akbar confirmed 12 Golkar branches in Irian Jaya, Maluku,
North Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Central
Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan,
Jambi, East Timor and Jakarta signed a resolution to demand an
extraordinary congress. Four chapters -- West Nusa Tenggara,
Jambi, East Kalimantan and South Kalimantan -- later reversed
their stance, however, Akbar said.

"They now express support for us," he said.

He said the 12 chapters previously demanded he immediately
dismiss deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman whom they accused of
opposing the candidacy of incumbent President B.J. Habibie in the
coming presidential election.

"They threatened to hold a special congress to replace me if I
did not dismiss Marzuki," Akbar said.

He alleged the pro-Habibie group also condemned Marzuki's
meeting and later the agreement on the stance of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) executive Kwik Kian
Gie over the Bank Bali interbank debt scandal which so far
implicated Habibie.

According to media reports, the chairmen of the 12 chapters
signed a petition one day after they met with Supreme Advisory
Council (DPA) chairman A.A. Baramuli at his residence in Jakarta
on Aug. 15. The chairmen were then in Jakarta to attend a party
meeting on Aug. 13.

A Golkar executive, Marwah Daud Ibrahim, confirmed the meeting
at Baramuli's residence. She said Marzuki's statements, including
on the Bank Bali scandal, were often against the party's official
line.

"Marwah wanted to correct my leadership, but rather than
talking directly to me as her chairman, she talked to the media,"
Akbar said.

Baramuli boasted on Friday that he had gained the support of
19 Golkar chapters to discipline Marzuki over his rejection of
Habibie's candidacy.

"I signed the petition with 19 Golkar provincial chapters, not
just 12, to discipline Marzuki," Baramuli crowed.

Power

Akbar acknowledged that Baramuli was one of Golkar's advisors,
but quickly added that an advisor neither had the power nor the
authority to directly deal with provincial chapters without the
chairman's approval.

He also denied allegations that it was Marzuki who leaked the
Bank Bali documents to the media. Instead, Akbar praised Marzuki,
who is also the chairman of the respected National Commission on
Human Rights, for striving to improve the party's image,
especially in the international community.

Akbar also defended Marzuki's critical views of the President
as being based on his observations as an intellectual.

"The international community regards Marzuki as a very
credible figure," said Akbar, who was minister/state secretary
until May.

He disclosed that Kwik Kian Gie wanted to expose the Bank Bali
scandal during the President's meeting with winners of the
general election at Merdeka Palace on Aug. 3.

"I advised him not to raise the issue there because it could
(adversely) affect the meeting atmosphere," said Akbar.

Akbar said it was natural if Habibie established his own team
of strategists to ensure his victory in the presidential
election, although he was already chairing a special team to
ensure Habibie's presidency.

He said Habibie's team was expected to focus work on improving
the President's public appearance and style. "Or, for instance,
advising him not talk too much," said Akbar as he burst into
laughter.

Despite being implicated in the Bank Bali scandal, Akbar said
Habibie's chance in the presidential election was still quite
high especially if the President was able to settle the scandal.

"If it (the Bank Bali case) is against the law, he must not
hesitate to make a decision," said Akbar.

Palace officials and Akbar's aides said the President summoned
Akbar to his private residence on Wednesday and had a heated
discussion with the latter. The President was reportedly annoyed
by Akbar's remark that it was possible for the ruling party to
reverse its support for Habibie if it failed to gain significant
endorsement from other political parties.

"I just said we could reevaluate our support if we failed to
get significant support for our candidate," Akbar hinted.

Akbar confirmed some members of the Golkar faction in the
House of Representatives (DPR) demanded the dismissal of Minister
of Finance Bambang Subianto and Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril
Sabirin for their alleged involvement in the Bank Bali case.

"I have received their report," said Akbar but refused to give
details.

In Yogyakarta, Gadjah Mada University rector Ichlasul Amal
urged Akbar to punish those who were involved in the campaign to
topple the party executive board.

"Old figures in the party like Baramuli have become
troublemakers," said Ichlasul. (prb/44)