Golkar representatives told to remain critical

Golkar representatives told to remain critical

JAKARTA (JP): Still quivering from the dismissal of their
whistle-blowing colleague, legislators from the ruling Golkar
political grouping are still being encouraged to speak out.

Golkar chief Harmoko said that Golkar legislators should have
the courage to be "vocal" but stressed that they should back
their statements with accurate data.

"I hope all Golkar legislators in the House of Representatives
are always responsive to the people's concerns," he said when
addressing the 27th anniversary of the faction Wednesday night.

Harmoko, also the Minister of Information, said that Golkar
House members should not hesitate to give "constructive and
corrective" criticism to the government.

He maintained that being outspoken is okay as long as
legislators do not present their ideas in an "insinuative,
radical, provocative and slanderous manner."

Golkar, the dominant faction in the 500-member House, has 282
legislators.

Golkar leaders fired outspoken legislator Bambang Warih
Koesoemo recently on charges that he had offended several cabinet
ministers at hearings and had the habit of deviating from the
party line.

The dismissal has drawn a storm of criticism from various
quarters, which has put Golkar officials on the defensive.

On the same occasion, House speaker Wahono told the gathering
that differences should be properly managed through discussions
to produce something positive.

"There no need to worry about differences in opinions so long
as there is dialog," said Wahono, who is also a former Golkar
chief. He lost his seat to Harmoko almost two years ago.

Wahono stressed that the growing demand for political openness
was part of Indonesia's efforts to promote democracy.

He added that Golkar legislators, who claim to be "pioneers of
reformation", should notice all aspects in the development of the
nation.

"They should also honestly tell about the weaknesses," he
said. (29)