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)