Golkar suspensions weaken pro-Mega coalition: Analysts

Golkar suspensions weaken pro-Mega coalition: Analysts

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Golkar's decision to suspend several of its members would affect
a major coalition led by the biggest party to help President
Megawati Soekarnoputri retain power in Monday's election runoff,
analysts say.

"Instead of bringing benefit to the coalition, the dismissals
would have a negative impact on its support for Megawati,"
political analyst Maswadi Rauf told the press here on Friday.

He explained that the suspensions would worsen the internal
bickering within Golkar as several regional chapters of the party
may switch allegiance for Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and running
mate Jusuf Kalla.

The suspension of more than 10 Golkar executives could have a
boomerang effect on the Nationhood Coalition and present a bad
image to Golkar supporters ahead of the Sept. 20 election, added
Maswadi from the University of Indonesia.

The pro-Megawati coalition comprises Golkar, the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the United Development
Party (PPP) and the Prosperous Peace Party (PDS).

Golkar's decision to give its official backing to Megawati and
Hasyim Muzadi was announced after its presidential candidate
Wiranto and running mate Solahuddin Wahid lost in the first round
of the election on July 5.

Senior Golkar leader Fahmi Idris and his 10 allies were
suspended by the party's central board for refusing to support
Megawati in the upcoming election. Kalla was also made non-active
as a Golkar advisor.

Fahmi and other dissenting executives claimed their suspension
was illegal, arguing that the decision was made in violation of
the organization's procedures. They had formed a Golkar Reform
Forum to solicit support for Susilo-Kalla.

Sukardi Rinakit from the Soegeng Sarjadi Syndicated pollster
said that the suspensions had nothing to do with the current
political constellation in the country.

Several surveys have shown that Susilo and Kalla would win the
presidential election, he said.

"People already have their preferences. The Golkar conflict
will not affect them," Sukardi added.

Meanwhile, Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung said on Friday that
the coalition to support Megawati-Hasyim was solid, while
boasting that he is still warmly greeted by party members in the
regions.

Separately, Golkar deputy chairman Agung Laksono said the
party's dissident politicians would still be given a chance to
repent by ceasing their activities.

However, Marzuki Darusman, who was among the suspended Golkar
members, said he would return the suspension letter to the
party's central executive board.

Because the suspension violated the Golkar's organizational
rules, it should not be respected, he said.

Based on the rules, Marzuki said, a second warning from the
Golkar central board must be issued within 20 days after the
first warning and the suspension must be decided 10 days after
the second warning.

In fact, the Golkar central board issued the first and second
warnings on Sept. 2 and 8 respectively. The suspension was
announced last Wednesday.

The organizational rules also state that suspension must also
be made after hearing clarification from those members who are to
be suspended.

"How can the party's central board hand down punishment before
asking for clarification from us?" Marzuki asked.