Golkar should follow reform spirit: Habibie

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)