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)