Golkar and PPP confident of gains in next election

JAKARTA (JP): Golkar and the United Development Party (PPP), which swept the most seats in the past five general elections, remained confident of a strong showing in the next election despite the political fallout and competition from new parties.

Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung, and PPP official Hadimulyo, expressed confidence over the weekend that people would still support and trust the two political groupings.

"I have traveled to several regions and found that the people's appreciation for Golkar remains high," he said during a discussion on the prospective of existing political parties in the next general election.

"Golkar currently has 30 million members, who make up about 25 percent of overall eligible voters.

"We also have comprehensive infrastructure to reach and consolidate our cadres in villages. These are our assets," he said.

Akbar, who is also minister/state secretary, said Golkar would introduce a new outlook to lure people's attention and support for the ruling political organization.

"Golkar will be more responsive to absorb and struggle for the people's aspiration. Golkar will not hesitate to correct government officials' wrongdoings," he claimed.

Golkar's strength would also likely come from its decision to maintain the relationship with its traditional allies -- the Armed Forces (ABRI) and the Civil Servants Corps (Korpri).

"ABRI has an historical relationship with Golkar. ABRI has the same perception as Golkar in viewing pluralism of the Indonesian people," said Akbar, who took over Golkar's top post from Harmoko in an extraordinary congress last month.

Golkar was established in October 1964 by seven social and political groupings, including the Armed Forces, to counter the increasing threats of the now outlawed Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

ABRI is also one of the three main components in the makeup of Golkar's leadership. The other two are Korpri and mass organizations.

Akbar did not rule out the possibility of Golkar forming a coalition with other political parties, as long as there was a conformity in their platform.

"We'll form a coalition only with parties of the same platform," he said, adding that several parties could meet this criteria. He did not mention which ones.

Akbar then brushed aside suggestions that it would become increasingly impotent as its main source of funding, the Dakab foundation, would likely cease.

"Several Golkar supporters and sympathizers have spontaneously granted financial assistance to us," he said.

Former vice president Sudharmono, who currently runs the foundation, said in June that the foundation would not relinquish the funds to either Golkar or the government but would instead continue their various social projects.

The Dakab foundation was set up in July 1985 mainly to finance Golkar's social activities. Its assets are estimated at Rp 836.2 billion (US$65 million).

Golkar and PPP have consistently been the top vote getters in past elections.

The regular pattern was that Golkar gained an overwhelming majority, with PPP winning most of the remaining seats at the House of Representative followed by the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) a distant third.

During the 1997 election, 112,161,955 valid ballots were cast, 89.9 percent of the country's 124.7 million registered voters

Golkar won 325 of the 425 House seats with 84,187,907 votes.

It was the best performance ever for Golkar.

PPP won 89 House seats, while the embattled PDI, with a leadership battle between Megawati Soekarnoputri and Soerjadi, eventually winning 11 seats.

With the resignation of Soeharto in May, a new political climate has emerged. The government has relaxed its restriction on political parties and now, some 40 new parties have formed.

Golkar in particular is expected to suffer the most severe fallout from Soeharto's departure as it was long perceived as a loyal Soeharto supporter.

PPP

Separately, Hadimulyo said he was confident that the next general election, which would be held under a new electoral law, would bring fortune to the Moslem-oriented party.

He noted that in past elections, which were filled with accusations of manipulating in favor of Golkar, PPP was still able to win a good share of the votes. Thus, under a fairer system, it should thrive even better.

"We were still able to secure support from 25 million voters in an unfair and manipulative general election last year," he pointed out.

Nevertheless he did not dismiss the serious threat from the National Awakening Party (PKB), which is headed by Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Moslem organization leaders, and the National Mandate Party (PAN), chaired by the popular Amien Rais of the Moslem Muhammadiyah organization.

NU and Muhammadiyah members were believed to have made up a strong support basis for PPP in the past.

"With the new system, however, we can expect some improvement in our achievements," he confidently remarked.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Crescent Star Party, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, said his party would be realistic and ready to dissolve if it failed to obtain strong public support during the election.

"Why must we maintain the party's existence if it fails to attract support from the people?" he said, reported Antara from Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Saturday.

Yusril said that at this present juncture, it would be difficult to predict the outcome of the election, expected to be held in May or June next year, or even how well his newly formed party would do.

"I, therefore, do not dare to make predictions about the number of people who will vote for my party in the election," he said after addressing a seminar on regional autonomy. (imn)