Golkar prepares for bigger win

Golkar prepares for bigger win

JAKARTA (JP): Leaders of the ruling political organization
Golkar yesterday began their three-day congress to discuss
strategies to record an even greater victory in the 1997 general
election. Golkar aims to increase its percentage of the vote from
68 percent in 1992 to 71 percent.

Party executives said the three-percent increase would
solidify Golkar's position as the dominant political grouping and
ensure "the continuation of the New Order government".

In his speech Chairman Harmoko did not mention any figure, but
said that Golkar should not only increase its number of votes but
push for a better general election.

"Quantitatively...this means we have to increase our victory
from what we gained in 1992. If Golkar got 68.10 percent then, we
could consider our victory solid if we could increase our number
of votes in 1997," he said.

Deputy chair Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, who also organizes
Golkar's leadership meeting and 32nd anniversary celebration on
Sunday, said she hoped Golkar would win as many votes as
possible, but doubted it would see a significant increase.

"What's important is that Golkar can retain an absolute
majority," she said.

Harmoko also instructed Golkar branches across the country to
give estimates of their target vote levels. "I called on all
branches to present relatively accurate estimates (which reflect
their success) in garnering votes, so that the target we decided
on would have strong base," he said.

The meeting itself was held at the Gran Melia Hotel and was
opened by Hartarto acting on behalf of President Soeharto, who is
chairman of the board of patrons. About 1,000 leading members
dressed in yellow jackets, the grouping's color, gathered in the
ball room which was lavishly decorated with yellow flowers and
ornaments.

Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung and ABRI Chief
of Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid wore their green
uniforms. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Hartono, who declared last
year that ABRI would support Golkar, wore a yellow jacket.

In contrast, the chiefs of regional military commands from
Indonesia's 27 provinces wore batik shirts.

In his speech, President Soeharto reminded Golkar members that
political development would never proceed with ripplings here and
there. "It (political life and development) is dynamic. But, no
matter what, we must never sacrifice political stability...it's a
prerequisite for us to develop the people's welfare".

"Ahead of us is a great responsibility. There's no alternative
to a successful general election, and Golkar's success in the
general election," he said. "For that purpose, all Golkar cadres
have to work hard, whether they are preparing programs and
strategies or election campaigning."

Golkar and the two other political groupings -- the Indonesian
Democratic Party (PDI) and the United Development Party (PPP) --
will contest 425 of the 500 seats in the House of
Representatives. The remaining 75 will be allocated for ABRI
representatives as ABRI members who do not vote.

Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M., Golkar secretary
general Ary Mardjono and deputy chairmen Abdul Gafur and Theo L.
Sambuaga all spoke at the meeting. At the congress Golkar will
discuss the domestic political map and prepare a political
statement to be delivered on Sunday.

Harmoko said the criteria for electing a president in 1998
when the 1,000-member People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
convene was also discussed.

Social scientist Marwah Daud Ibrahim, who is a Golkar cadre,
said a portion of yesterday's meeting was used for introspection.
"We reminded one another how Golkar figures and leaders should
become populist leaders, able to win people's hearts," she said.

Political scientist Burhan Magenda, also a Golkar member, said
the grouping would have to work very hard if it wished to achieve
the three percent increase, because the two other contestants
would give the election their best. (swe/imn)

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