Golkar finally apologizes for past mistakes

Golkar finally apologizes for past mistakes

JAKARTA (JP): Golkar finally responded to growing public
contempt and has apologized to the nation for past political
mistakes that it committed during Soeharto's New Order regime.

Deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman led off the reversed stance
by making an apology in a political discussion on Monday.

"I am here (in this discussion) not as a Golkar member, but I
want to apologize on behalf of Golkar for all of the mistakes it
made in the past," Marzuki told an audience of 200 people.

"Whatever its worth... I would like to say it," he added.

A visibly perturbed Marzuki was responding to the strong
criticism of a participant, soothsayer Permadi, about Golkar
leaders' initial refusal to apologize for mistakes committed over
the past 30 years when Soeharto used Golkar as a political tool.

"Golkar is the culprit for all the chaos that has led to this
country's destruction," Permadi charged.

Later in the day, Marzuki insisted he did not breach the
party's official line and that he spoke with the consent of
Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung.

"I met the Golkar chairman last night. We concluded that it
was necessary to apologize to the nation for the past (mistakes)
in which Golkar was involved," Marzuki told the media.

"This includes what we have admitted as political-history
mistakes committed in past years," he said.

"I submit this apology on behalf of the organization. This is
the first opportunity for this statement to be made public after
I spoke to him (Akbar)," he reiterated.

During its extraordinary congress last month, Golkar dismissed
calls that it apologize, saying the blame for the country's
economic, social and political collapse should not be laid at its
door alone and that all elements in society should share the
responsibility.

Golkar's stance was immediately blasted by many, with
political observers saying that Golkar had thrown away its last
chance of winning people's support after it lost its powerful
patron, Soeharto.

Marzuki acknowledged the decision to apologize was made in
particular because Golkar realized its existence could be under
threat.

"We realize that if we evaluate Golkar's record and looked at
people's judgment of it... it is appropriate that we apologize,"
he said, adding that the organization did not have to wait until
elements from "the bygone era" and past administration signaled a
willingness to do so.

He said Golkar, as an organization, needed to really apologize
so it could start rebuilding normal relations with people.

When asked whether Akbar would also deliver an apology,
Marzuki said: "This statement that I am making is on behalf of
Golkar. Therefore, this statement is to be given to the public as
a response to the growing demand, hopes and expectations that
Golkar apologizes."

Meanwhile, another Golkar executive who spoke at the
discussion, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, said he was happy that
Golkar had finally apologized.

The sultan, who earlier criticized the party's refusal and
said that he himself had already apologized to the nation, said:
"I did so some time ago on the grounds that the Golkar faction in
provinces, too, also made many mistakes."

He said that remorse should be expressed not only through
words but also by actions. "People need proof (that Golkar is
really sorry), not false promises," he said. (edt)