Akbar's post-election fate

The conflict within the Golkar Party following the presidential election is now reaching a head, with senior leaders Fahmi Idris and other members bringing their cases to court to seek an annulment of their ousting by the party's central board.

Fahmi is also demanding a national conference be held to seek the accountability of Akbar Tandjung as Golkar leader because of the Nationhood Coalition's failure to effectively support Megawati Soekarnoputri in the runoff.

In addition, Fahmi will urge Akbar to step down because of the political collapse, before the national conference removes him from his office.

In fact, Fahmi and his followers should have exercised restraint by avoiding any defiance of the central board, which led to their dismissal. This is in view of Akbar's contribution and sacrifice to rescue the party.

At the start of the reform period, through the perseverance of Akbar, Golkar survived despite its failure to direct during the New Order. It emerged as the second-largest party in the 1999 general elections.

In the case of State Logistics Agency fund misappropriation, Golkar was again in danger of extinction, however, it was eventually rescued when Akbar was acquitted of charges.

H. WISDARMANTO GS., Jakarta