Golkar considers dismissing Irian Jaya legislators
Golkar considers dismissing Irian Jaya legislators
JAKARTA (JP): Golkar's top leaders in Irian Jaya are
considering a crackdown on its recalcitrant legislators who
failed to vote for the faction's own candidate during last
month's council speaker election.
Chief of Golkar's Irian Jaya branch, Bima, said in Jayapura
yesterday that he would consult with the party's central board of
executives on whether the legislators could be dismissed.
"Sanctions will be imposed on those who do not obey the
organization's policies," Bima warned. "If the central board
approves the action, we will dismiss them."
He said the "guilty" legislators would then undergo "special
training to improve their political knowledge" from the Golkar
office, after being recalled from their council posts.
According to Bima, an internal investigation is now underway.
Bima was an unlikely loser in a race for council speaker
against his Armed Forces faction rival, Robert Sitorus, on July
25. The Armed Forces, whose members do not vote, had nine seats
reserved for it.
Despite the fact Golkar held a majority of seats with 32, Bima
lost 9-27 in the voting. Many Golkar legislators apparently voted
against their own candidate.
Golkar legislators then boycotted Sitorus' induction last
week, following an order from the party's central board sent by
fax by deputy chairman Moechtar.
The rift was apparently settled on Monday when all Golkar
legislators attended Sitorus' rescheduled installation ceremony.
Bima said a split within Golkar showed dynamism in the
council, but deplored the fact that the move cost the party its
organizational unity.
"Unity and cohesiveness play a pivotal role in Golkar's
attempt to maintain its interests and credibility," Bima said, as
quoted by Antara.
Support of disciplinary action against deserting Golkar
legislators came yesterday from a tribal group which affiliates
itself with Golkar. It called for an overhaul of the faction's
office in the province.
"Without drastic changes in personnel, more serious problems
will hit the organization in the future," group leader Theys
Eluay said.
Eluay, who is also chief of the Sentani tribe, said the
overhaul was necessary to help the province's Golkar leadership
reaffirm members' allegiance.
"Those who broke party rules deserve to be heavily punished
for the sake of Golkar pride and continuity of development in the
province," he said.
Eluay was secretary of a 1969 United Nations committee in the
province which determined that Irian Jaya would be part of the
Republic of Indonesia. He has been a Golkar legislator since
1977. (amd)