Flexibility vital for Golkar: Akbar

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)