Civil servants want seats in the House

Civil servants want seats in the House

JAKARTA (JP): The six-million strong corps of civil servants
(Korpri), known for its affiliation with the ruling Golkar, says
it wishes to have House of Representatives seats allotted to its
members.

Korpri chairman Suryatna Soebrata said here yesterday that
this arrangement would solve many problems, including that of its
much-criticized loyalty to Golkar. "It's probably a good idea,"
Suryatna said.

Suryatna, also secretary-general of the Home Affairs Ministry,
was commenting on suggestions from political analysts that corps
members should not vote in general elections because of their
dual loyalty toward Golkar and the public they serve.

"Regarding its status, it would be probably good if Korpri
members are represented by appointment in the House of
Representatives. That way, they wouldn't need to waste their
energy voting in the election," he said.

Analysts often compare the corps with the Armed Forces, whose
members do not vote but are staunch supporters of Golkar. Korpri
members face a dilemma because they are public servants,
supposedly neutral, as well as historically Golkar supporters.

The Indonesian civil service does not play a neutral role on
the political scene and has proclaimed itself a proponent of the
ruling Golkar faction.

The corps formed part of Golkar's election machinery in past
years, sending its members to Golkar election rallies nationwide.

At its recent congress in September this year, Korpri
reaffirmed the support for Golkar which is stated in its Social,
Political and Legal Guidelines.

Korpri is one of three main components in the make-up of
Golkar leadership. The other two are the Armed Forces and mass
organizations.

The corps has a membership of some six million people, 4
million in the bureaucracy and another 2 million in state-owned
companies.

The two minority political parties, the United Development
Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party, have long complained
about the regulation requiring government employees to vote for
Golkar.

Suryatna insists that the decision to allocate seats for
Korpri in the House should mainly depend on the national
consensus.

"The Armed Forces's dual function was determined by a majority
of Indonesians," he said.

Votes

Separately yesterday, Golkar chairman Harmoko denied ever
boasting that the organization, if it wanted to, would be able to
win 100 percent of the vote in the election next year.

"That would be impossible because the other political
contestants also strive to obtain as many votes as possible," he
said after briefing a gathering of chiefs of provincial and
district military commands in Bandung yesterday.

The chairman was commenting on a media report which claimed he
had said Golkar wanted a 100 percent win.

Insisting that Golkar would attempt to win the 1997 election
in a fair manner, Harmoko said the organization was determined to
win at least 70.02 percent of the vote next May 29.

Golkar has won all five elections held under President
Soeharto. In 1992, it took 68 percent of the vote, a big margin
but a drop from the 73 percent it won in 1987.

Golkar is contesting the election against the United
Development Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party. Only 425
of 500 seats are up for grabs as 75 are reserved for the Armed
Forces, whose members do not vote. (imn/21)