Cadres call for organizational reform in Golkar

Cadres call for organizational reform in Golkar

JAKARTA (JP): Cadres of the ruling Golkar called on the
political organization yesterday to comply with the reform spirit
and free itself of external interference.

The Golkar cadres, grouped under a breakaway coalition of
members of three Golkar elements -- business wing Kosgoro, labor
wing SOKSI and social group MKGR -- raised their demand at the
end of a one-day seminar on Golkar's future status.

Rio Tambunan, a SOKSI cadre, read out a joint declaration
after the meeting which included the establishment of a National
Committee for Reform to follow-up on Golkar's commitment for
reform.

The group said Golkar must be able to put the reform spirit
into practice.

"Golkar's executive board must provide room for reformists,"
it said.

The Golkar cadres also insisted on the organization's
freedom from external influence.

They asked the upcoming extraordinary Golkar congress to
abolish Golkar's board of patrons, board of advisors and board of
councilors from its structure.

"Only after it can remove the board of patrons, the board of
advisors and the board of councilors, can Golkar develop its
independence," they said.

Military observer Harsudiono Hartas supported the idea of
abolishing the board of patrons and advisory board.

"Golkar's executive board will never be independent while the
board of patrons still exists," Harsudiono told the seminar
participants.

"The veto rights of the chief patron can hamper the process,"
he said.

The chief patron is former president Soeharto, while President
B.J. Habibie is executive chairman.

Harsudiono further argued that Golkar did not need an advisory
board.

Asked about Golkar's possible fate during an era of tighter
multiparty political competition, he said the dominant political
organization could survive as long as it was willing to totally
reform itself.

Harsudiono, a former Armed Forces chief of sociopolitical
affairs, dismissed reports over his involvement in boosting
former minister of defense and security Edi Sudradjat's candidacy
for the Golkar chair.

"I am not involved in Pak Edi's nomination for Golkar
chairman," he said, "I'm only giving him moral support."

The agenda for electing a new Golkar chairman will most likely
be included in Golkar's extraordinary congress, slated for July 9
to July 11.

Harsudiono, however, was confident the Armed Forces Veterans
Association (PEPABRI) would be behind Edi's nomination.

The association is chaired by former vice president Try
Sutrisno.

Edi, who campaigned for Golkar in last year's election
campaign, will reportedly be nominated by a coalition of retired
Armed Forces officials.

Edi is reportedly also supported by a Golkar internal faction
led by former vice president Sudharmono.

With just a week to go before the extraordinary congress, the
race to replace incumbent chairman Harmoko appears to be heating
up.

Apart from the coalition of retired ABRI officials and the
Sudharmono faction, two other major groups appear to be making
serious preparations for the race.

A faction led by Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance
and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita will reportedly nominate Lt.
Gen. Agum Gumelar, governor of the National Resilience Institute.

Another faction connected to President B.J. Habibie will
reportedly nominate Akbar Tandjung, the minister/state
secretary. (imn)