Beware of the 'antek' of the New Order

The Indonesian dictionary defines the word antek as a person (or nation) that is exploited or made a follower, lackey or slave by others.

Perhaps R. Hartono, chairman of the Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB), explained the meaning of antek to his followers.

Hartono, in a recent campaign in Yogyakarta, invited party supporters and sympathizers to become antek of former president Soeharto, who ruled the country for 32 years. Hartono must have used the term antek to mean Soeharto's followers.

The press reported on Monday that PKPB had given money to people who attended the campaign in East Java's provincial capital, Surabaya. This is humiliating. That was how the New Order won public support. It settled all issues with money. Thus, corruption thrived during the New Order era.

Hartono's invitation for people to serve as antek of Soeharto was ridiculous and dangerous, as it was an insult to the people's dignity.

The General Elections Supervisory Committee should take measures against PKPB or other election contestants that practice money politics during their campaigns.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta