Akbar denies Golkar apology was 'official'

JAKARTA (JP): A brewing rift among the Golkar leadership emerged on Tuesday when its chairman Akbar Tandjung contradicted deputy chief Marzuki Darusman's earlier apology for past political mistakes committed by the grouping.

Akbar asserted the latter's statement on Monday did not represent an official stance.

He indicated that he did not see any need for Golkar to meet public demands for an apology over its role in political oppression during Soeharto's 32-year New Order regime.

He conceded that Golkar had shortcomings in the past and should strive to improve. Soeharto resigned from the presidency in May.

"We need to know that officially and organizationally Golkar has never apologized," Akbar said after meeting with President B.J. Habibie at Merdeka Palace.

Marzuki, also deputy chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights, claimed that Akbar himself had agreed that it was necessary to publicly apologize for past political mistakes.

"I want to apologize on behalf of Golkar for all the mistakes made in the past," Marzuki said.

In a seeming contradiction, another Akbar deputy, Theo L. Sambuaga, defended Marzuki's remark on Tuesday as representative of the grouping's line.

Theo said Akbar, who is also minister/state secretary was fully aware of the plan to convey the apology.

"Golkar's apology to the people, as conveyed by Marzuki, is undisputable. It was not his private view but the Golkar leadership's opinion," said Theo, who is also state minister of public housing.

Golkar came under fire last month after it rejected public calls that it apologize for past political mistakes, including those contributing to the social and economic crisis besetting the country.

Critics have derided Golkar as a mere political tool of Soeharto in his campaign to maintain and perpetuate power. Golkar, backed by the Armed Forces and the bureaucracy, has been consistently blamed for electoral manipulation which allowed it to keep a stranglehold on power and the bureaucracy.

Akbar insisted it was unfair to heap all the blame on the grouping for the country's hardships.

"Why must we seek penance? The mistakes (committed) under the past system are not Golkar's alone," Akbar said on Tuesday.

Akbar also clarified his recent statement that Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto was a suitable presidential candidate. His remark fermented speculation of discord with Habibie.

He contended on Tuesday that he was merely naming Wiranto was one among the prospective candidates, including Habibie.

Akbar blamed the media for distorting the remark and said he had not intended to offend anyone.

"If it (the statement) is regarded as insulting, I did not have an intention to hurt anyone because all of them are Golkar cadres."

Separately, former state minister of sports and youth affairs Hayono Isman said the mixed reactions to the apology revealed the divisions within the grouping.

Hayono believed Golkar should openly own up to the mistakes it committed as part of Soeharto's political machine.

"This is not the first time that Golkar leaders made such a mistake (of) making confusing statements to the public," Hayono said in a media conference.

Hayono, himself on the receiving end of criticism for muddled comments during his ministerial tenure, said Akbar was unable to divorce his position as Cabinet minister from his role as a Golkar leader.

Bambang Warih, who was fired as a Golkar legislator in 1995 for his opposition to Soeharto, said the apology remained a thorny issue among Golkar leaders. (prb/edt/imn)