Golkar changes its vision, image under new chairman
Golkar changes its vision, image under new chairman
JAKARTA (JP): Golkar has charted a new vision, changed its
charter and severed links with its old powerful boss Soeharto,
but it remains in the hands of familiar faces despite a
breakthrough in the way it chose its leaders this weekend.
For the first time in 32 years, Golkar elected a chairman
without blessings from former president Soeharto, the chief of
the board of patrons.
Akbar Tandjung defeated Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat after
winning 17 votes of the 27 regional chapters in Golkar's first-
ever "true" election by ballot rather than consensus.
Once considered a political lightweight, Akbar replaces
Harmoko in the top seat of the once all-powerful Golkar, which
boasts a membership of 35 million.
The three-day extraordinary congress, which ended Saturday,
also mandated Akbar and his 138-strong board to carry out a "Five
Success" program in the next five years.
The program covers fives targets which must be attained
successfully: a resolution of the current economic turmoil,
further progress in the reform process, participation in the
coming extraordinary session of the People's Consultative
Assembly, general election and national development.
A seven-point political declaration issued at the end of the
congress stipulates Golkar's readiness to become a political
party.
Akbar said yesterday that Golkar would adopt this new role as
soon as a new law on political parties currently being drafted is
ratified, expected by the end of the year.
However, he could not say what name or symbol Golkar would
adopt. "It's a bit premature to talk about that now."
The statement also asserted that provision of basic
necessities for the people must be a priority on the national
agenda.
Akbar also selected a huge 137-member cabinet for his
executive board.
Soeharto
The most notable feature of the congress was the absence of
former president Soeharto who, according to official accounts,
was not consulted at all during the proceedings.
Akbar said the congress had decided to abolish the board of
patrons and replace it with a much weakened advisory board.
"The new advisory council will just give advice, it does not
have any power at all. The past board of patrons had very strong
power," Akbar told journalists after accompanying President B.J.
Habibie yesterday to a commemoration of the country's
cooperatives 51st anniversary.
He claimed that the decision was aimed at making Golkar more
independent.
During the election process, Akbar was widely perceived as
being backed by Habibie and Armed Forces commander Gen. Wiranto,
while Edi was backed by retired senior generals.
In a brief interlude with journalists yesterday, Akbar
admitted, Habibie was the nervous one throughout the election.
"He was just like a Brazilian soccer team fan watching a
match," Akbar remarked.
Nevertheless Akbar still proclaimed that Golkar would no
longer be dependent on its old elements.
He claimed that Golkar would no longer have official relations
with the Armed Forces and the four-million-strong bureaucracy.
However, he still chose a retired major general to fill the
important post of secretary-general.
Akbar also brushed aside calls for him to cede his post as
minister/state secretary.
He was rather ambivalent when asked about the possibility of
making huge changes within the legislative lineup of Golkar.
He said Golkar would not "recall" people like former chairman
Harmoko and Soeharto's children -- Siti Hardijanti Rukmana,
Bambang Trihatmodjo and Hutomo Mandala Putra -- who currently sit
in the Assembly as Golkar representatives.
"However, if there is a request (to replace them), Golkar will
consider these aspiration," he said.
Akbar boasted that Golkar would be successful under his
leadership in the scheduled May general election because few
organizations would be as prepared.
He said only Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah and family of the
country's first president, Sukarno, would likely win strong
support from the people. (prb)