Akbar denies Golkar apology was 'official'

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)