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

Bandung