'Golkar should lose Akbar or face more distrust'

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Golkar risks losing what little credibility it has left and the next general elections with it if it insists on keeping convicted fraudster Akbar Tandjung as its chairman, political analysts say.

Already tainted by being the defender of former president Soeharto's 32 years of corrupt, authoritarian rule, Golkar's image is being further pounded with Akbar's insistence to stay put.

The party should have the courage to regain credibility by removing its convicted chairman, political analyst Cecep Effendi said here on Friday.

"The party is taking a big risk if it insists on retaining Akbar," Jakarta-based 1945 Islamic University (Unisma) rector Cecep said during a discussion attended by Golkar legislators Marwah Daud Ibrahim and Ferry Mursyidan Baldan in the House of Representatives (DPR).

Fellow scholar Irfan Manulang from the University of Indonesia (UI) said Akbar's unwillingness to relinquish his post and the support of his party showed it did take account of its constituents' views.

Golkar executive leader Marwah Daud Ibrahim has openly urged Akbar to resign, saying the move would benefit Golkar and Akbar himself.

He said Akbar should quit his post as Speaker of the House of Representatives and resign as Golkar's chairman.

"This move will help Akbar regain credibility," said Marwah, who represents Iramasuka, a dissenting faction within Golkar, mainly comprised of legislators from eastern parts of Indonesia.

Marwah made similar calls at a limited Golkar leadership meeting on Wednesday. Akbar's loyalists condemned the call.

Marwah was not alone, but was supported by Golkar executives Theo L. Sambuaga and Fahmi Idris, two figures who held ministerial posts during former president B.J. Habibie's tenure.

Akbar ally Rambe Kamarulzaman said the dissenting trio were condemned by the seven other Golkar leaders at the meeting.

The seven were M.S. Hidayat, Freddy Latumahina, Mahadi Sinambela, Bomer Pasaribu, Aulia Rachman, Budi Harsono, and Rambe himself.

Speaking to reporters after Friday prayers, Akbar said that the calls from Golkar cadres for his resignation were just their opinions.

"Opinions are common. Finally, the meeting agreed to stick to internal rules and the party's leadership remains in my hands," Akbar said.

Ferry, one of Akbar's supporters, meanwhile said Golkar's problem did not just lay with Akbar himself.

He said Golkar had been the target of people's anger during the 1999 campaign and would remain a target of criticism.

"If Akbar resigns, the criticism of Golkar will not end immediately. Besides, Pak Akbar is a figure of unity in Golkar," Ferry said.

He defended Akbar's position, saying that people's hatred of Golkar would be measured during the 2004 elections, not by dismissing Akbar.