Golkar chair still a coveted trophy

By Imanuddin

JAKARTA (JP): Golkar leaders from central and regional chapters began checking into rooms at Hotel Indonesia last night ahead of tomorrow's extraordinary congress that will determine much of the dominant political group's future.

While many outsiders are questioning Golkar's relevance now that Soeharto is no longer the country's president, insiders are more optimistic about the organization's future, and say that a lot depends on the lineup of its new leadership after the congress.

To many participants, the highlight of the congress, as in past meetings, remains the election of the new chairperson.

There is no shortage of candidates to replace the current chairman, Harmoko. The post has paved the way for successful political careers in the past.

Sudharmono, chairman from 1983 to 1988, became vice president in 1988. Wahono, chairman from 1988 to 1993, later became speaker of the House of Representatives and chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

Although Harmoko is most likely to lose his Golkar chairmanship, he will continue as speaker of the House and MPR chairman to see Indonesia through to its first post-Soeharto general election, scheduled to take place next year.

Despite what outsiders say about Golkar's political future, insiders consider the chair as the crucial issue in the congress.

"It's natural if all factions want to use the extraordinary congress as the means to win Golkar's top post," congress organizing committee chairman Waskito Reksosoedirdjo said when briefing journalists on tomorrow's agenda.

The chairperson will be elected by the representatives from the 27 regional chapters.

Many observers said the election will be the most democratic ever seen in Golkar now that the Armed Forces (ABRI) had declared it would not try to influence the course of events.

"The election outcome will completely rest on the participants of the congress," ABRI Commander Wiranto told reporters yesterday.

"ABRI only hopes that the next chairperson will be acceptable to all elements of society and capable of establishing Golkar's image and of providing a greater contribution for the development of the nation," Wiranto said.

In the run-up to the congress, several names have been mentioned as potential candidates to lead the organization. They include former cabinet ministers Siswono Yudohusodo and Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, human rights activist and chairman of Golkar's business wing (Kosgoro) Bambang W. Soeharto and justice minister Muladi.

But the contest, at least judging by the comments of Golkar leaders over the last few days, is now down to two names: former defense minister Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat and Akbar Tandjung, the current minister/state secretary who began his political career in Golkar.

As of yesterday, Edi appeared to have the upper hand.

He has the support of the Association of Retired Servicemen (PEPABRI) led by former vice president Try Sutrisno.

Edi's chances have been bolstered by the fact that 21 out of Golkar's 27 chapters are chaired by PEPABRI members.

Try held a meeting with all PEPABRI regional chapters yesterday to discuss preparations for the congress.

Edi has also won the tacit support from Golkar's wing of social groups, Musyawarah Kekeluargaan Gotong Royong (MKGR), and a number of Golkar's senior members, including Sarwono and Waskito.

Akbar Tandjung has the support from those who wanted to see less of a military role within Golkar, including from the influential Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI).

ICMI executive chairman Achmad Tirtosudiro said Akbar was the right candidate for Golkar's 1998/2003 leadership.

"Akbar Tandjung is acceptable to all elements in society," Achmad said as quoted by Antara.

"Akbar is a real Golkar cadre because he started his political career in Golkar. He was a member and later chairman of the Indonesian Youth National Committee until he became deputy Golkar chairman and minister/state secretary," he added.

Many outsiders said they wanted to see Akbar rather than Edi take over Golkar's helm.

Amien Rais, the chairman of the 28-million-strong Muhammadiyah Moslem organization, said he had no favorite candidate in mind but considered Akbar the best among the possible candidates.

"As an outsider, I'd like to see Akbar elected," he said.

He said Edi would be a "setback" for Golkar because it would hand the leadership baton back to the military.

Harmoko, who was elected in 1993, is the first Golkar chairman without a military background since the group was founded in 1964 with the help of the military.

Scholar Arief Budiman, a colleague of Akbar's from the student activist generation of 1966, said the next chairperson should have as little link to the previous regime as possible.

"Akbar Tandjung has a chance to become the chairperson because he kept a distance from Soeharto and there has never been reports of any involvement in corruption, at least so far," he said as quoted by Antara in Melbourne last weekend.