Golkar cadres at village level

Golkar cadres at village level

From Merdeka

If the dominant ruling group Golkar come out the winner again in the 1997 general election, it is nothing out of the ordinary.

But behind the victory there is something interesting and extraordinary if an analytical observation is made of the struggle of Golkar cadres, particularly at village/district level. It is this struggle that has sustained Golkar's victory and status quo from 1971 to 1992.

The struggle at grassroots level is an extraordinary contribution for Golkar as a political force, although this tends to be neglected by elite Golkar circles in their discussions on the history of the organization from one election to another. In this context, there is an impression that these grassroots cadres at village/district level are being overlooked, when they should obtain a position. They are popularly known as Golkar's Karakterdes (cadres).

On the other hand, Karakterdes are required to become totally immersed in societal life and be at one with the existing and evolving problems in today's society.

BAGIO ROOSDIANTO

Jakarta