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)