Golkar reviews support for Habibie in October

JAKARTA (JP): Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung issued on Saturday a clearer signal of a possible reverse of Golkar's support for President B.J. Habibie in the upcoming presidential election.

After addressing a seminar held by the Alumni of Muslim Students Association (KAHMI), Akbar said Golkar would stick to its decision to name Habibie its sole presidential candidate at least until the party leaders would meet in mid-October.

Golkar deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman said the meeting, which precedes the party's Oct. 20 anniversary celebration, was aimed at, among other things, assessing Habibie's performance.

Akbar, who reportedly met with Habibie at the latter's residence on Friday night, was cautious in responding to Marzuki's statement.

"We still nominate Pak Habibie (as the presidential candidate). We don't have any plan to replace him," Akbar said. "But we will closely observe the development in national politics and all aspirations raised by the public or Golkar members themselves."

Habibie's government has been widely criticized for its slow investigation into former president Soeharto's alleged corruption, an alleged involvement in the Bank Bali scandal and its policy which led to the East Timor separation.

A flurry of violence erupted across the country marring Habibie's administration, which was considered by many as a transitional government. Habibie took over from Soeharto, who resigned in May last year.

Akbar said during the next meeting that Golkar would for sure conduct a thorough evaluation of the party's old policies.

When pressed further whether the presidential candidate issue would be included in the evaluation, Akbar said: "Let's wait and see how things develop."

He said he had approached leaders of other parties, including the "axis force," to seek their support for its presidential candidate.

"We consider seeking support from political parties which have not named a presidential candidate," Akbar said. The axis force was a new political alliance which received the support of Islamic parties contesting the June 7 poll. The alliance was introduced by the chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Amien Rais.

When asked whether Akbar would also seek support from the axis force, he said long consideration was needed to decide on the matter.

"...I'm not sure if the axis force is solid enough so we have not decided whether or not to ask them to give their support," he said. (emf)