Basyuni wants teachers to remain loyal

Basyuni wants teachers to remain loyal

JAKARTA (JP): The chairman of the Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI) told the organization's 1.4 million members that they must stay loyal to the ruling political group Golkar.

Basyuni Suriamihardja added that PGRI members should remember that they pledged allegiance to Golkar at this year's congress.

"All PGRI's members must obey the decisions of the association's congress, including their commitment to support Golkar," Basyuni told reporters.

Basyuni was clarifying earlier press reports that last week he said the association's members could freely choose any political organization they liked.

He maintained, however, that the PGRI is not affiliated with any political organization.

Basyuni had previously denied allegations that the association coerces its members to support Golkar.

He dismissed allegations that teachers could not hope for promotion if they supported the United Development Party or the Indonesian Democratic Party.

"PGRI members vowed they would channel their aspirations through Golkar," he said Saturday.

"The decision (to support Golkar) has been reaffirmed in every congress since 1973," Basyuni was quoted by the Antara news agency as saying.

He stressed that the congress' was the highest authority in the association and its decisions must be followed by all members.

The Indonesian Teacher's Association was established on Nov. 25, 1945, in an attempt to improve education and to fight for better conditions for teachers across the nation.

Some 1.4 million of Indonesia's 1.7 million teachers have become members. Membership is voluntary. (imn)