Golkar is off the mark

Golkar is off the mark

From Neraca

With regards to the extraordinary congress of the Golkar functional group which is being held from July 9 - 11, 1998, the Indonesian Democratic Alliance Movement (PADI) would like to make the following statement.

The rivalry evident within Golkar in the run up to and during the congress has not come about through differing ideologies, but is highly sectarian in nature.

Furthermore, the rivalry within Golkar no longer reflects the ethics and morality embodied in Pancasila, the official state philosophy.

None of those people and factions within Golkar who are now lined up against each other have ever issued any statements outlining their political agendas or manifestoes, or even discussed in any detail the fundamentals in the life of our state, such as Pancasila democracy, national stability, and the dual function of the Armed Forces.

This rivalry does not reflect a contest of ideas which will improve awareness and welfare among the general public. It is motivated by a race to grab power, which may not necessarily be exercised in the interests of democracy, justice and national unity.

Basically, all Golkar leaders are politicians who adhere to the principle that says: "There are no lasting foes, there are always personal interests." This way of thinking leads eventually to the practice of "the end justifying the means."

All Golkar leaders have lost sight of what Golkar was founded to be -- functional group dedicated to the interests of the state.

Finally, if all Golkar leaders fail to demonstrate an exemplary attitude in their fight for the chairmanship in the extraordinary congress now under way, the young generation will certainly withdraw their support for Golkar in the coming general election.

PADI Presidium

Jakarta