Golkar eyes post of House speaker

JAKARTA (JP): The Golkar Party is hoping for an exchange of support from its Muslim-based allies to win the House of Representatives (DPR) speaker post up for grabs on Tuesday.

Brimming with confidence, Golkar deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman said on Monday his party had secured commitment from at least the United Development Party (PPP).

He also said the party expected the National Mandate Party (PAN) to support its bid. PAN chairman Amien Rais was the unlikely winner in Sunday's vote for the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker role, thanks in part to Golkar's backing.

Marzuki said Golkar had also been assured of support from the Indonesian Military (TNI)/National Police faction, after Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung paid a call on Monday to TNI chief Gen. Wiranto.

"TNI can support Golkar," Wiranto was quoted by Marzuki as telling Akbar, who has been named for the House speaker post.

Akbar and Wiranto also held a meeting with President B.J. Habibie later in the day.

Marzuki praised TNI's neutral stance during the vote for the MPR chairmanship, but suggested that TNI stand behind Golkar in order to "determine the course of the decision".

"As far as we can, we are seeking every avenue to attract TNI to support us," Marzuki said.

The 38-member military faction attracted 41 votes for its candidate Lt. Gen. Hari Sabarno, who finished a distant third behind Amien and National Awakening Party (PKB) nominee Matori Abdul Djalil. Amien obtained 305 votes to Matori's 279 votes.

Marzuki also said his party had approached the PPP, as well as the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), concerning Akbar's nomination.

"There have been contacts between us, and PPP apparently responded positively," said Marzuki, who chairs the Golkar faction at the MPR.

He said Golkar planned to make an official request to PAN, adding that a new deal had to be approved prior to the election.

"We of course expect to have PAN's goodwill, but everything must be renegotiated because we could not hope for the exchange to come automatically. There is nothing automatic in politics."

Another Golkar legislator, Eki Syachrudin, said his party was waiting to see whether the Muslim-based alliance called the "axis force" would continue to cooperate. He said it was factor which would very much depend on the give-and-take agreement reached between the two political groupings.

"I think the axis force is willing to vote for us in exchange for our support for its bid to take the MPR top post. It was very difficult for a party which has only 34 seats to obtain the MPR chairmanship without strong support from Golkar," Eky said.

Golkar chairman Akbar denied that his party had a reciprocal agreement with the axis force. Golkar's candidate, Ginanjar Kartasasmita, managed only 10 votes in Sunday's election.

"Golkar was not in a position to support Ginanjar as the Assembly's speaker," said Akbar, adding that Ginanjar was only projected as a deputy speaker.

While agreeing with Akbar's statement, Marzuki dismissed speculations that the coalition would be maintained until the presidential election, which will take place on Oct. 20.

"We have not gone that far. We have to make a new assessment of the cooperation deal before moving to another issue," he said.

The axis force, meanwhile, confirmed its support for Akbar, who is making his debut at the House.

PPP chairman Hamzah Haz it was understandable if the axis force threw its weight behind Akbar's bid for the House speaker post.

Akbar is expecting minimal opposition from his five challengers. PAN has named A.M. Fatwa, the party's original candidate for the MPR top post before Amien's arrival; PDI Perjuangan nominated veteran Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno; TNI named Lt. Gen. Achmad Roestandi; PPP picked Hamzah Haz and PKB has chosen Ma'ruf Amin.

Commenting on his nomination, a low profile Akbar said he would just wait for the DPR members to decide.

The 500 House legislators will cast their votes from 8 p.m. on Tuesday. The election succeeds the configuration of political groupings in the House.

According to the proposed House internal rules, the legislative body will comprise factions from the six major parties, the TNI faction and three coalitions of minor parties which failed to meet the electoral threshold of 10 House seats.

Previously, the House comprised three factions representing the political groups contesting the elections and the military faction.

The House will also convene for the first time on Tuesday to agree on the composition of its leadership. Its draft of internal rules stipulates that the House have a speaker and a maximum six deputy speakers. (05/byg/rms)