Golkar supports Akbar until 2004
A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The country's second largest and former ruling party Golkar concluded its three-day congress here on Friday with a unanimous support for Akbar Tandjung to serve his full term until 2004.
It was a moral boosting achievement for Akbar, who had previously seen his political career in peril after he was named a suspect in a Rp 40 billion financial scandal involving the State Logistics Agency (Bulog).
Golkar deputy chairman Agung Laksono said on the sidelines of the closing session that the majority of participants agreed to uphold the results of the previous party's leadership meeting last year, which ruled out the possibility of holding a national congress before 2004.
"The congress will take place as scheduled in 2004, meaning that Akbar Tandjung will serve out his tenure," Agung said.
The closing session began at 8 p.m. but after three hours there were no signs of a conclusion.
"There are some minor rifts inside," Agung said without elaborating.
In its closing statement read by Asep Sujana, Golkar recommended a political moratorium among the country's political parties in a bid to provide a favorable climate for the nation to restore its economy.
"No improvement has been made despite the fact that all elements of the nation have sought every avenue to help the country emerge from multifacet crises. This happens because of the absence of solidarity to cope with the crises and widespread attitude of blaming each other," the statement said.
Golkar also supports the direct presidential election in a bid to uphold democracy and select strong national leadership.
The party opposed the lenient debt settlement for big debtors not only because the policy was unjust, but it opened up the chances for corruption, collusion and nepotism practice to flourish.
Golkar also challenged the government's decision to revise two regional autonomy laws, saying it would lure back concentration of power in one hand.
Earlier in the day, Golkar formally announced the suspension of 19 executives.
Akbar, who is being questioned over the Bulog scandal, denied there was a split in the party, saying that the party members had been sacked because they had failed to attend party meetings for several months.
"We have agreed that differences in opinion among party members shouldn't be a problem," said Akbar, who is also Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Among the suspended members was outspoken Muchyar Yara, who has repeatedly called for Akbar's resignation as the party chairman due to his involvement in the scandal.
Muchyar denied his poor appearance in party activities and said he had never received prior notice. He said he considered a lawsuit against Akbar for defamation.
But Golkar patron Achmad Arnold Baramuli survived the scythe despite his continuous demand for a snap congress to oust Akbar.