Golkar Party enlists ex-servicemen

Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Embattled former ruling party Golkar has recruited a number of retired police and military officers into its ranks, which analysts described as a move to maintain or even improve its performance in the 2004 general elections.

The party has recruited to its colors Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. (ret) Noegroho Djajoesman, former coordinator of expert advisors to the Indonesian Military commander, Maj. Gen. (ret) I.G.N. Arcana, and former Jakarta deputy governor Abdul Kahfi.

Theo L. Sambuaga, one of Golkar's deputy chairpersons, told The Jakarta Post on Saturday that it was the desire of the retired officers to join the party, and not the party who enticed them to join.

Nevertheless, Theo said, it was not just former military and police officers who had recently joined the party, but also businesspeople, lawyers and former diplomats.

Theo said these people were recruited because they were close to Golkar and had achievements that the party could count on.

"This proves that Golkar is still attractive to many people although we often have different opinions among our leaders. It also shows that having different opinions is something normal and gives a sense of democracy. That makes the party attractive," he said.

Theo was apparently referring to differences of opinion among Golkar executives about the leadership of Akbar Tandjung over Golkar as well as the House of Representatives following Akbar's conviction by the Central Jakarta District Court of misappropriating Rp 40 billion (US$4.5 million) of public funds.

Theo, in fact, is one of the Golkar leaders who have asked Akbar to step down as the leader both of Golkar and the House. Other party leaders with the same opinion are Marwah Daud Ibrahim, Fahmi Idris and Agung Laksono.

Political analysts J. Kristiadi and Denny J.A. saw Golkar's recruitment of retired military and police officers as a move to anticipate the 2004 election.

However, the two analysts differed on the possible effects on the party's performance in 2004.

Kristiadi of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said the recruitment of retired security officials could even make Golkar even look bad in the eyes of the people.

"It's a mistake to chose persons who have no selling points anymore instead of recruiting members of the younger generation who are broad-minded and have wider perspectives.

"It's just Golkar stupidity. It will make the party more isolated from the people. First, it already has a convicted leader, and now it is becoming militaristic," he said.

Kristiadi also said that Golkar's maneuver also showed that civilian politicians were still regarded as being inferior to the military.

Denny J.A. from Jayabaya University, however, differed and said the entrance of retired military and police officers into Golkar showed that they had submitted themselves to civilian leadership, the leadership of Akbar in Golkar.

He said the presence of retired officers would improve the party's image before the public, but not before non-governmental organization activists.

"The military is a symbol of security. People will support a party that can give a feeling of security as the realm of politics after the Bali bombings and the international war on terrorism has placed Muslims, or the majority of Indonesians, in a delicate position," Denny said.

However, Denny considered that Golkar's decision would be unpopular among activists. He contended that most NGOs were opposed to the military regaining its political power.