Golkar must introspect itself
From Media Indonesia
The Golkar Party will encounter problems in the future. When the party held a grand meeting at the Senayan Main Stadium in Jakarta, it was a public secret that it gave money and lunch to everybody attending the meeting.
When Akbar Tandjung made his speech, the sky suddenly became cloudy, followed by resounding thunder. Strangely, it was a very bright day shortly before. This must have been a bad omen for the Golkar Party. Then, we heard a report of an incident in the Central Java town of Purbalingga, followed by the collapse of the stage at Tambak Sari Stadium in Surabaya. Obviously, God has given His warning. Reap what you sow, so the saying goes. All these unfortunate happenings must have stemmed from unfair practices during the New Order era, in which Golkar had a big share.
On the Purbalingga incident, this may not have been perpetrated by PDI Perjuangan members because the jackets and other attributes of this party are available anywhere. We must remember that Megawati Soekarnoputri always asks all PDI Perjuangan members to love peace, abide by the law and never resort to rioting.
In fact, what has happened recently to the Golkar Party is insignificant compare to the bloody incident on July 27, 1996, in which many were killed and major material loss was incurred. The Golkar Party should introspect itself because other parties never experienced something like this when they celebrate their anniversary or organize meetings. In Surabaya, for example, three parties, PDI Perjuangan, PAN and PPP, held their parades in a friendly and peaceful manner. Only the Golkar Party and former- government's backed PDI under Budi Hardjono usually have trouble when organizing events involving the masses.
Golkar should remember what it has done in the past: instructing then Central Java governor (Suwardi) to paint public places yellow and the conviction shown by Harmoko when nominating Soeharto as Indonesia's president in the previous election.
OTTO YADI
Klender, East Jakarta