Golkar: Past and present

Golkar: Past and present

From Pikiran Rakyat

The Functional Group (Golkar) assumes a unique position in
this reform era. Akbar Tandjung's recent reaction shows that on
the one hand, it does not see the need to apologize but, on the
other, it realizes that during the New Order era it subjugated
itself to the autocratic power of the president.

Nevertheless, Golkar does not wish to be continuously cornered
and discredited because it has now made a resolve to correct its
past mistakes and improve itself, notwithstanding the fact that
it comprises the same personnel and organization.

It would be a good idea if, apart from making the above
statement, Golkar's general chairman also admits that Golkar --
limited to its figure heads and executive board members and
certainly excluding common members or civil servants who were
compelled to join -- also benefited, directly and indirectly,
from this corrupt era.

It is not surprising, therefore, that people have the opinion
that high-ranking Golkar officials are but a band of faithful
followers of the New Order. That's why from a radical point of
view, there is no place for Golkar -- a superior product of the
New Order regime -- in this reform era, just like the now-defunct
Indonesian Communist Party, which was accorded no room in the New
Order era after the collapse of the Old Order regime.

History has noted, however, that basing themselves on national
unity, human rights and democracy, the proreform proponents have
shown their tolerance by allowing Golkar to maintain its
existence. So, sparing no time, Golkar has held regional
conferences across the country -- far ahead of the official
campaign schedule for the 1999 general election -- with four of
its chairmen, all serving as ministers in Habibie's cabinet,
taking turns to chair these conferences. In this context, it is
simply hoped that tolerating Golkar's existence will not pose a
problem that the proreform proponents have to solve in future.

At this juncture, it is no exaggeration to expect that the
reaction made by Akbar Tandjung, as referred to earlier, should
be coupled with an appeal to all high-ranking Golkar officials
that they should not only regret having served as effective
instruments in the hands of the New Order rulers but should also,
first of all, repent to God for what they have done. They should
also be called upon to donate to the people all material assets
they amassed during the New Order era. They should do it right
now while there is still time to do so before they are brought to
the court of law for alleged practices of corruption, collusion
and nepotism.

In this way, God willing, they will be forgiven by God, and
the sharp criticism and condemnation heaped upon them will,
hopefully, be reduced.

ISKANDAR RAIS

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