Akbar Tandjung questions the existence of PRD
Akbar Tandjung questions the existence of PRD
MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung
urged the government on Sunday to reassess the existence of the
Democratic People's Party (PRD) following allegations of its
involvement in vandalism of Golkar offices in East Java.
"We will ask the Minister of Justice and Human Rights
Baharuddin Lopa and Minister of Home Affairs Soerjadi Soedirdja
to soon review PRD ... Whether it is still consistent or not with
the nation's goals," Akbar, who is also the House Speaker, told
journalists here at Hasanuddin International Airport.
Akbar made a brief stopover here on his way to Jakarta after a
visit to Jayapura, Irian Jaya.
"If PRD's purpose and principles are no longer relevant to the
country, then PRD's existence must be questioned," Akbar
remarked.
In Jakarta, PRD executive Andi Arief on Sunday brushed off
Akbar's comments arguing that PRD had been accepted by the
General Election Commission (KPU) and declared a legal party
which was allowed to participate in the 1999 general election.
"If PRD must undergo reevaluation, how about other political
parties?" Andi remarked when contacted by The Jakarta Post.
In a rather emotional tone, Andi lashed back saying that PRD
has never committed a political or economic crime, while Golkar
itself has been party to such acts.
"If there was a party which should be reevaluated, I guess it
should be Golkar. They should be held responsible for upholding a
dictatorship," he charged.
Under the New Order rule of former President Soeharto, PRD was
prohibited, for reasons among others for refusing to include
Pancasila as its only ideology.
"Our ideology is social democracy, particularly for the
people. There are a lot of parties with an ideology like ours in
Europe. I suggest Akbar go to Europe and find out for himself,"
Andi remarked.
Akbar also described the demand to dissolve Golkar as
"irrational".
"The Golkar Party was officially established within the
existing law," he said.
On a stronger note, Akbar warned that "if anti-Golkar
protesters continue to use violence, Golkar supporters will be
ready to respond. However, I have asked Golkar's masses in
eastern Indonesia to stay calm and avoid physical action," Akbar
said. (02/27/edt)