Golkar recruits celebrities and Moslem preachers

Golkar recruits celebrities and Moslem preachers

JAKARTA (JP): 'King' of Dangdut music Rhoma Irama, soap opera
hero Rano Karno, government critic Ali Sadikin, enigmatic Moslem
leader Abdurrahman Wahid, controversial politician Sri Bintang
Pamungkas and pop singer Iwan Fals are a few of the big names
that are being put forward as legislative candidates for next
year's general election.

The three political organizations, Golkar, the United
Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI)
will submit their lists of legislative candidates to the National
Election Institute today.

The rift ridden PDI will submit two lists: one drawn up by the
party's new chairman Soerjadi and one drawn up by Megawati
Soekarnoputri. Soerjadi ousted Megawati in a rebel government-
sanctioned congress in June.

Soerjadi's camp said it would submit its list of more than 850
prospective House members to the election institute today.

Meanwhile, Megawati has been approaching well-known figures
such as Ali Sadikin, Abdurrachman Wahid, Iwan Fals and Emha Ainun
Nadjib to be her candidates, but it is not known if they will
accept the nominations.

The conservative Moslem-oriented PPP has not publicized its
list of prospective House members. But there is speculation that
the party will dismiss its outspoken legislator Matori Abdul
Djalil.

Matori was recently reprimanded by the PPP leadership because,
in his capacity as a member of the National Brotherhood
Foundation, he signed a petition criticizing the government.

Besides celebrities like Rhoma and Rano, the ruling Golkar
organization is nominating more than a dozen well-known Moslem
preachers affiliated to Nahdlatul Ulama, a 30 million-strong
Moslem organization.

"We want to show that Golkar has the support of Moslem groups,
and has roots in both urban and rural areas," said Dien Samsudin
over the weekend. He heads Golkar's research and development
division.

Among the Moslem preachers being nominated are Ahmad, Alie
Yafie, Amin Syukur, Muhtarom, Habib Luftie, Ali Mufid, Muntaha,
Aminuddin Syanwar and Mustofa Zuhad. From the influential
Muhammadiyah Moslem educational organization, Golkar is also
nominating several people, including Lukman Harun.

Golkar Secretary-general Ary Mardjono said that many Golkar
activists were unhappy because they were not on the list of
nominees despite their long service and contribution.

"I think it's natural (to be unhappy). But there have been no
protests from Golkar members who are not listed as legislative
candidates," he said.

Agung Laksono, one of Golkar's deputy chiefs, said Golkar was
recruiting many "public figures" to get as many votes as possible
next year.

A celebrity like Rhoma, he said, was recruited because he is
highly popular, has unquestionable communication skills and is
well-versed in his profession.

Although Megawati's leadership has not been recognized by the
government, she is determined to submit her own list of House
member candidates.

The government has said it will only accept Soerjadi's list of
PDI candidates, not hers. (pan)