Golkar causes RI's collapse

Golkar causes RI's collapse

From Rakyat Merdeka

Once former president Soeharto said: "The fall of Indonesia is not due to my fault alone... ". Focussing on Soeharto's above statement, let's observe the history of 34 years ago.

Who were the driving forces supporting the president? Were they the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) or United Development Party (PPP)? Not at all. As a matter of fact they were the New Order's ruling class (Golkar). I can't say 100 percent, but I dare say 99 percent of governors, mayors, regents, district heads and village chiefs were from Golkar.

The main factors causing Indonesia's collapse are obviously due to the absence of law enforcement and the furious rise of corruption, collusion and nepotism. Again, not 100 percent, but I dare say 99.99 percent of the perpetrators are from Golkar.

Never in the history of mankind has there been a country once devastated by a class of people, and then re-built by that class of society. But I don't know if Golkar can.

Now they are ready for re-awakening. Strategic positions including district heads and village chiefs are still held by Golkar devotees. With the inferior political knowledge and awareness of villagers, in the recent general election Golkar succeeded in winning a large number of votes from the remote villages.

In urban areas where the peoples' level of political knowledge is reasonably high, Golkar lost and eventually PDI Perjuangan has won. So, by virtue of the peoples' aspirations and democracy, Megawati Soekarnoputri should have become Indonesia's president.

But in the political process, quite a strange phenomenon has occurred. Firstly, the emergence of the idea that "a female may not become a president". (If so, I suggest that anywhere in Indonesia there should be no female lecturers nor medical doctors).

In the next process, reform and democracy were flamingly voiced, but in fact they were only lobbying for and exchanging positions. So, the political party receiving only meager votes in the general election has reaped a high position, as if it were the party which succeeded in getting the majority of votes. Is that what is called democracy?

After having read a minimum of two newspapers every day for at least 55 years, I can conclude that Abdurrahman Wahid or whoever else is the president, will be rocked by the terrifying incidents at Banyuwangi, Ciamis, Timor, Aceh, Maluku and in other places. And an ideal president must have a positive character or characteristic like Soekarno and Soeharto.

Soekarno's positive characteristic was to love the people and not want the peoples' money, while Soeharto's positive trait was to lead with an iron fist. Generals, politicians, officials and business people were totally eliminated, even if they had rendered many services to the country. Therefore, Soeharto could relax and be assured of ruling the Republic of Indonesia for 32 years.

My last conclusion: urban peoples' political awareness is already high. I think the members of the House of Representatives or Peoples Consultative Assembly must have a higher political conscience. But, in fact, senior and key positions have been held by Golkar figures. There must be an "X" factor, and that factor might be God's blessing, which has made the country run. Or is it the money that has made all of this work?

TAN IE TIE

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