Golkar should follow reform spirit: Habibie

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie yesterday told the dominant Golkar political organization to follow the reform spirit if it wanted to prevail in the country's political arena.

Addressing the opening ceremony of Golkar's three-day extraordinary congress, he said the organization should review its historical role since its establishment in 1964.

"Golkar should not only take a proactive role in the national reform movement, but should also internally reform itself," Habibie said.

The President said Golkar must absorb and respond to the people's aspirations.

"Golkar needs to change its charter in response to the present situation, while the board of patrons, board of advisors and board of councilors should be reviewed.

"Only with a more democratic structure can Golkar survive the tight competition and maintain the support of its traditional supporters and gain new ones," he said.

Separately, the secretary of Golkar's board of patrons, Akbar Tandjung, said the organization should be ready to change and be more forthright as a political entity.

"We should not be shy if Golkar becomes Partai Golkar, Partai Karya Pembangunan or Partai Golkar Indonesia," he said.

Chairman of Golkar's business wing Kosgoro, Bambang W. Soeharto, said Golkar's new leadership must be able to maintain its independence from external interference.

"Golkar should not allow itself to be polluted by the previous regime. It would be unpopular with Indonesians," he told a media conference, which was originally meant as a debate forum for candidates of Golkar's chairmanship.

The forum, held separately from the extraordinary congress, was earlier scheduled to present candidates Akbar Tandjung, Edi Sudradjat and Siswono Yudohusodo into the debate. Yet none of the three candidates showed up.

Kosgoro was one of the seven organizations, which formed Golkar in October 1964. Others were the Armed Forces, the labor organization SOKSI and the social group MKGR.

Fraud

Bambang also urged Golkar to admit all its wrongdoings in the past and concede responsibility over the ongoing economic crisis.

"Golkar must admit any fraud in past general elections and apologize for the prolonged economic crisis," he said.

Similarly, current Golkar chairman Harmoko said at the opening ceremony that Golkar members should not be ashamed of admitting past weaknesses and mistakes.

"Golkar has won all the past six general elections. Yet, whether we like it or not, we have to comply with the aspirations for the eradication of corrupt, colluding and nepotistic practices," Harmoko said.

Accountability

Later yesterday afternoon, Harmoko made an accountability speech for his near five-year term as chief. His term was not due to expire until October.

He defended his actions in asking for president Soeharto's resignation in May.

However, he conveniently neglected to mention that it was he himself who led the way for Soeharto's renomination for a seventh presidential term.

A number of senior Golkar members were notoriously absent at the start of the congress which was attended by 1,000 representatives.

The most glaring absentee was Soeharto, who heads Golkar's board of patrons, deputy secretary to the board Ginandjar Kartatsasmita and executive deputy chairwoman Siti Hardijanti Rukmana.

Hardijanti, who is better known as Tutut, is also Soeharto's eldest daughter.

There was no official explanation for Soeharto's absence.

"You (journalists) do not need to ask, as his deputies can replace him for such an occasion," deputy chairman of Golkar's board of patrons, Try Sutrisno, said.

Former minister of religious affairs Tarmizi Taher, however, said Soeharto was showing wisdom by not attending.

"Pak Harto really respects the Javanese culture that he lengser (resigns), and does not want to intervene with the ongoing congress," he said.

There was no explanation for Hardijanti's absence, while Ginandjar is currently in the United States.

One debate among participants which went on till late last night was on who would represent the board of patrons in the seven-member executive committee of the extraordinary congress.

The board's deputy chairman, Try Sutrisno, put Siswono Yudohusodo up, however an opposite camp apparently aligned to Habibie, who is coordinator for the board, wanted Soelasikin A. Moerpratomo.

After an evening meeting between Try and Habibie, it was finally agreed that Siswono would be the one chosen.

Three different demonstrations outside the congress venue at Hotel Indonesia in Central Jakarta, colored the meetings.

The first batch of 50 activists staged a demonstration in support of Soeharto and Edi Sudradjat.

The second group, also some 50 protesters, staged a demonstration supporting Akbar's nomination, while the third group of about 100 called for an end to Golkar.

The meeting continues today with various committee meetings on the Golkar statutes, political statement and the chairman's accountability speech. (imn/aan)