Golkar supports Akbar until 2004

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.