Flexibility vital for Golkar: Akbar

JAKARTA (JP): Golkar Party chief Akbar Tandjung told an executive party meeting on Monday evening that it must be flexible to cooperate with other political parties in the coming days to reach "common goals".

"We have to be flexible because things are now unpredictable. We need that kind of flexibility to adjust to the highly dynamic political situation," Akbar said during the opening of the party's two-day meeting at Santika Hotel, West Jakarta.

Akbar did not elaborate on what he meant by flexibility, and skipped any mention of Golkar's presidential candidate incumbent B.J. Habibie from his formal opening address.

However, he stressed that political flexibility was crucial as the party "did not win the majority of votes in the elections".

The meeting was held just days before Habibie presents his accountability speech to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Thursday and the presidential election, which is scheduled for Oct. 20.

Party leaders have said the two-day meeting may evaluate the prospect of Habibie's reelection given his eroding credibility due to various scandals and high profile issues.

Golkar deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman already noted on Sunday that it may be difficult to retain Habibie as no other party openly stated its support for the long-time protege of former president Soeharto.

He therefore expected that the meeting would mandate the central board to finalize its nomination in a way that would reflect the needs of the situation when the election takes place on Oct. 20. Analysts predict that a rejection of the accountability speech could spell the end of Habibie's presidential bid.

Marzuki said on Monday that Golkar was "anticipating criticism of the accountability report".

"But we will try to seek a consensus between the factions. And if that is impossible then we will probably have to vote on it," Marzuki remarked.

He added that "it is in the interest of Golkar that Habibie's accountability report is accepted".

Marzuki also said that it would be unlikely that the party would publicly push for the vice presidential seat.

"I don't think it's proper for Golkar to nominate a presidential and vice presidential candidate as we don't have the majority of votes," Marzuki said.

Golkar has pointed to four potential vice-presidential candidates: Akbar, Indonesian Military chief Gen. Wiranto, former Cabinet minister Ginandjar Kartasasmita and Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X.

Party officials have indicated that Habibie personally prefers Wiranto as his running mate.

However, Marzuki said it would be unlikely for the meeting to confirm Wiranto.

"I don't see that happening. I don't see the meeting nominating a single vice president among the four."

Instead he indicated that it would be possible for Golkar to support a vice presidential candidate from another political party.

Opposition against Habibie's candidacy has steadily grown within Golkar, in line with eroding public confidence.

However, party leaders indicated that it would not be politically prudent to drop the nomination, while others speculated on the powers the executive may have on the party.

Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X diplomatically called on his colleagues in the meeting to not let "individuals from outside the organization" influence the meeting "even if that individual was a Golkar cadre".

"If that still occurs, then it is not a reformed Golkar with a new paradigm, but rather the same old Golkar of the New Order," said Sri Sultan.

Meanwhile in Yogyakarta, Golkar chapter deputy chairman Khairudin said that a local cadre meeting agreed to call on the party's central board to review the nomination.

Apart from Yogyakarta, the North Sumatra chapter has also indicated its desire to review Habibie's nomination. (byg/swa)