Golkar enters the cyber-world

JAKARTA (JP): The dominant Golkar entered the cyber-world yesterday in a bid to score another triumph in this year's general election.

Golkar chairman Harmoko said at the launch of "Golkar Online" that the program would give the public access to information about the political group. The Internet web is part of Golkar's plan to set up a media center.

Information on Golkar's web site includes a political statement issued at the end of its leadership meeting in November last year, the party's doctrines and commitment, the line-up of its leadership board, its election campaign itinerary and a list of its legislature candidates.

The public is also welcome to raise questions or suggestions.

The web site address of the Golkar Online is http://www.golkar.or.id., or mirror site at www.indocom.com/golkar.

Golkar is the second political organization to join the Internet after the United Development Party (PPP) introduced the PPP Online Monday. The PPP homepage is http://www.ppp.or.id. or http://2202.152.0.224.

The official launch of the PPP on the Internet is scheduled for tomorrow.

The government-recognized Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) has yet to use the new electronic media. Its rival faction under ousted leader Megawati Soekarnoputri has opened its homepage called Merah Putih Online (Red, White Online) at http://www.merahputih.com.

Golkar chairman Harmoko said the dominant group has no plans to campaign on the Internet.

"The election campaign has its own regulations," Harmoko was quoted by Antara as saying.

"We will use the Internet either to dispatch information or absorb public opinions, as printed media have already done," he said. (amd)