Golkar fires senior official

Golkar fires senior official

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The ruling political organization Golkar
fired the chief of its provincial branch, Effendi Ritonga,
yesterday for failing to resolve internal bickering.

Until Golkar's central executive board finds a replacement,
Ritonga's deputies will carry out his duties, Antara reported.

Ritonga's dismissal came in a decree from Harmoko, the Golkar
chairman, and Secretary-General Ary Mardjono. The decree was
delivered by one of Harmoko's deputies, Abdul Gafur.

Gafur said Ritonga was fired after requests from "the
majority" of local Golkar leaders and several organizations
affiliated with Golkar.

Golkar's central executive board has appointed deputy chapter
chief Baharuddin Lubis and election department chief Manahan
Lubis to attend Golkar's leadership meeting in Jakarta.

Gafur did not elaborate on why Ritonga was dismissed, but said
that under Ritonga's leadership, Golkar's local leadership was
"not solid" and could have threatened the party's performance in
next year's election.

"Golkar leaders need to take action to maintain the
organization's unity," Gafur said. (pan)