Golkar further split as senior members call on Harmoko to go
JAKARTA (JP): A group of senior Golkar members demanded the resignation of the ruling group's chairman Harmoko because his alleged deception of the public and former president Soeharto contributed toward the current political turmoil.
The group also petitioned for an early congress to elect a new chairman. The Golkar congress is currently scheduled for October.
Iskandar Mandji, a member of the group which go by the name of the Team of Golkar's Saviors, told The Jakarta Post that Harmoko had "lied" when he told former president Soeharto that the public wanted him to run for a seventh consecutive term as president earlier this year.
Soeharto's reelection in March was greeted by massive demonstrations across the country. Political tension then rose, leading eventually to last months massive outburst of anger, rioting and looting which forced Soeharto to resign.
In his response, Harmoko said that only a congress could dismiss a chairman. He said all members had to comply with the organization's statutes, which state that a congress is the correct forum to elect and dismiss a chairman.
Golkar has a collective leadership whose term in office is determined through a consensual agreement between members, he added.
"We'll call a meeting with the leaders of Golkar's regional chapters to listen to members' opinions and discuss what steps we can take," he said.
Critical
Iskandar said Golkar was now facing a critical time given that political reform was proceeding quickly and new political parties were being established.
"Golkar is still a valid medium through which to campaign for democracy. We want Golkar to survive the transition and continue to exist as a political force," he said.
The group calling for Harmoko's resignation consists of founding members Sudarko Prawirojudo and Bambang Warrih Koesoema, and senior Golkar members Farid Akhwan, Syaiful M.D. and Tadjoeddin Noer Said.
Iskandar said Golkar had been under intense scrutiny because its legislators were considered to be hand-picked Soeharto "yes- men", especially during the general session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) which reelected Soeharto in March.
"As the whole nation can now see, (Harmoko's claim that a majority of people still wanted Soeharto at the nation's helm) was wrong because there have been strong and continuous demands for Soeharto to step down since he was reelected," he said.
Iskandar said the process of recruiting Golkar members for the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)/House of Representatives (DPR) was known to be a viper's nest of collusion and nepotism. Many Golkar legislators in the House are relatives of senior figures in the political establishment.
He also said the decision to request an immediate congress was taken after the group learned of the intentions of one of Golkar's strongest allies to break ranks and declare itself an independent political party.
The Musyawarah Kekeluargaan Gotong Royong (MKGR) announced that it would separate from Golkar and establish itself as an independent political party last week.
Kosgoro, another ally, hinted that it too was considering a similar move, compounding the severe pressure Golkar is currently under.
Meanwhile, Tadjoeddin said those concerned should await completion of the new law on political parties before responding to the new opportunities which have presented themselves.
"We have to wait for the new law to be completed before we can respond to recent developments," he told the Post.
He also said people must decide for themselves whether or not they still want to maintain an ambiguous system with two political parties (the United Development Party and Indonesian Democratic Party), and Golkar, which claims not to be a political party but nevertheless contests general elections. (imn)