Better never than late

Golkar's offer of apology to the nation for the mistakes it committed in the past is not only late in coming, but it also lacks sincerity. So dishonest and insulting is the apology that Golkar, which has ruled, or rather misruled, this country for the past 32 years, should never have made it in the first place.

The apology, announced on Sunday by Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung, did not come from the bottom of the hearts of Golkar's leaders. Instead, it came as a result of growing internal and external pressures, as reflected by its sagging popularity even among some of its traditional supporters. It came two days after the establishment of the Justice and Unity Party by dissenting Golkar figures disenchanted with the present leadership.

Coming on the eve of Idul Fitri, the apology was shrewdly timed, taking advantage of the forgiving mood as Muslims mark their religious holiday. Golkar in this respect is no different from the growing ranks of those despicable politicians who exploit religious symbols to further their political interests.

The apology was nothing but another one of Golkar's antics as it struggles to remain in existence even as it no longer has any moral right to govern the country. With the general election, slated for June, fast approaching, this apology is seen as a desperate maneuver by Golkar to cling on to the last vestiges of its power.

Before Sunday, Golkar had steadfastly refused to apologize, even when such an apology was widely demanded by the public during its national congress in July. Akbar at the time had, arrogantly, insisted that the blame for the 32 years of misrule under the New Order government of president Soeharto should be shared by the nation as a whole. Golkar's sudden about face on the question of apology goes some way towards admitting that it had played a major role in the national conspiracy for 32 years. But nothing in Akbar's statement indicated Golkar's readiness to pay the price for those mistakes. Instead, Akbar launched into election rhetoric with pledges of a new and different Golkar but with familiar promises of fighting for the interests of the nation.

Golkar was Soeharto's political machine that kept the nation in perpetual political ignorance for 32 years. It was a vital component of the New Order regime that last year's reform movement led by university students sought to dismantle. The current economic and political mess we are in is attributed to the misrule of the corrupt, collusive and nepotistic regime of which Golkar was very much a part. A simple apology, especially one that is insincere and politically motivated, will not wash away those sins.

Yet, while the nation has focused its attention on trying to prosecute Soeharto, Golkar has been consolidating its power. It remains powerful in the House of Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly, and therefore, together with President B.J. Habibie, controls the national political agenda, including the deliberation of the political laws upon which the June election will be based. As the controversy over the political rights of civil servants has shown, Golkar is not reluctant to use its force just as it has done in the last 32 years in order to have its way. When it comes to election preparations, it is clear that Golkar wants to have the cake and eat it too.

As the famous Abraham Lincoln saying goes, "You may fool all of the people some of the time, and you can even fool some of the people all the time, but you can't fool all of the people all the time," Golkar's maneuvers, including its apology, fool no one but itself.

The grave mistakes which Golkar is now willing to admit to are enough to remove all remaining moral rights it still commands to govern this country. By trying to remain in power, Golkar will not only slow down the reform process, but it will perpetuate the political predicament we are in, and therefore unnecessarily prolong the misery of the people. Those Golkar figures who are forming new parties have the right idea of how to break from their horrible past.

While Golkar's presence in both upper and lower houses is a fact we have to live with for now, it could make a graceful exit by delivering the political legislation that will truly ensure a democratic election in June, and pledge not to contest the polls in order to give other political forces the chance to govern this country. Only then will their apology be acceptable.