Tue, 18 Oct 1994

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)