Golkar reviews support for Habibie in October

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)