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)