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)