Australians learn how Golkar gets votes

Australians learn how Golkar gets votes

JAKARTA (JP): Visiting members of the Australian College of
Strategic Studies met with executives from the ruling Golkar
yesterday to exchange information and discover how Golkar
executives worked voluntarily without salary.

Their questions were met with a smile by Golkar Secretary
General Ary Mardjono and other executives who explained that they
did not receive any pay for their party work.

They explained that it was only the secretariat staff,
numbering 215 people, who received wages.

As reported by Antara, the Australian delegation was led by
the College's director Commodore Simon Harrington. They are here
on a study tour of southeast Asian countries.

During the meeting yesterday the Australian delegates learned
about Indonesia's political system and the role played by Golkar.

Delegates also met deputy secretary general Theo Sambuaga and
executive members Abdul Gafur, Burhan D. Magenda and Marwah Daud
Ibrahim.

The Australian delegation was interested in learning more
about Golkar's campaign techniques for soliciting voters, said
Theo.

Golkar used the principle of "sekasur, sedapur, sesumur" (one
bed, one kitchen and one well), said Ary. This meant that
soliciting support began at home with the wife and children, then
with family members followed by people in the surrounding
neighborhood.

"Just as Golkar's chief patron, Soeharto, said, if the
technique sekasur, sedapur, sesumur is applied properly, then
there would probably be no need for Golkar to campaign anymore to
win the election," Ary said.

Golkar has dominated past elections and is expected to win by
a comfortable majority in the 1997 general elections. (mds)