Golkar shouldn't take for granted voters' support

Golkar shouldn't take for granted voters' support

JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces Commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung told
the ruling party, Golkar, that they can no longer take their
voters' support for granted because the more educated voters
become, the more critical they become.

Addressing 600 Golkar members at its annual leadership meeting
yesterday, Feisal said Golkar should pay attention to the
emergence of the critical masses, who may take an anti-
establishment stance.

"The progress of development ... is followed by an increase in
society's demands and expectations for a better living standard,
which, if not met, will create disappointment, or even
frustration," he told a plenary session chaired by Golkar leader,
Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana.

A gap between the rising demands and what can be fulfilled
allows for susceptibility to "agitations launched by anti-
establishment groups who strive to discredit the government and
upset our development efforts", he warned.

He said the progress the nation has made created critical
masses, mostly from the middle class urban dwellers, who are
often outspoken in their demands for changes. Some of the masses,
he said, have even pushed for radical changes.

"As opinion leaders, this segment of society has tried to
create a negative image of the government by exploiting various
violations of laws involving officials," he said.

Feisal, who reaffirmed the military's support for Golkar, also
said that the accumulation and the tendency of the critical
masses surfaced in the form of protests and demonstrations.

"Golkar should watch over the situation and determine the
proper course to take," he said. "Because of these changes, the
organization should stop taking the majority's traditional
support for granted."

Golkar, established 30 years ago, should also launch
systematic efforts to consolidate itself and garner the support
of "strategic" groups in the society, he said. "This goal calls
for a persuasive political communication."

Feisal also reminded the political organization to keep its
commitment to launch efforts to establish a strong and clean
government. "That means Golkar should improve the quality of its
service to the people," he said.

Tanjung said that there were a number of Golkar members who
sometimes violate the organization's policies, and consequently
tarnish its name.

"Golkar should guide these members," he advised, adding that
there has also been conflicts among members. "This happens
because the interests of some people or groups overshadow those
of the organization's due to emotional reasons," he said.

Rumors

The largest political grouping has recently been shrouded in
rumors about the possible dismissal of outspoken members from its
faction in the House of Representatives (DPR).

Former Golkar chairman Wahono, who is currently spokesman for
DPR and People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), is reportedly one
of the legislators who may be recalled.

The other Golkar faction members said to be recalled include
Ben Messakh, Oka Mahendra, Iskandar Mandji, Tadjudin Noer Said,
Bambang Warih Kusumo and A.A. Baramuli. Baramuli revealed the US$
620 million-loan scandal at the state-owned bank, Bapindo.

Oka and Mandji have told the press that they are not afraid of
being recalled from the DPR.

Both Harmoko and chairman of Golkar faction in the DPR,
Mustahid Astari, have refuted the rumor. "Such gossip can only
come from some clandestine political movement," Harmoko said.

Many people believe that one reason why many legislators are
hesitant in criticizing the bureaucracy is because of their
political organization's unquestionable power to withdraw them
from the legislative body at any time. (swe)