Golkar welcomes return of defectors

JAKARTA (JP): Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung said he would welcome the return of politicians who last year deserted the party if they wished to again work for Golkar.

"Maybe they (the former Golkar executives) can be placed on the party's advisory board," Akbar said on the sidelines of a party gathering at its headquarters in Slipi, West Jakarta, on Saturday.

But he said he had yet to receive any formal notice despite strong rumors that former Golkar executives Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudrajat and Gen. (ret.) Try Sutrisno were planning to return to the Golkar fold.

Edy and Try were among the leading Golkar activists who left the party ahead of last year's general election and formed the Unity and Justice Party (PKP).

But during the general election, PKP failed to gain the two percent threshold of votes required for a party to contest the 2004 general elections.

Many analysts believe that many top executives deserted the party because they were dissatisfied with the rise of former president B.J. Habibie.

But now the tables are turned with reports that former Golkar supporters of Habibie are leaving the party.

Former Justice Minister Muladi, a close aide to Habibie, recently announced his resignation from Golkar.

Akbar earlier indicated that Habibie's close friend, Marwah Daud Ibrahim who still holds the post of Golkar's deputy chairman, also plans to resign and set up the Madani Party.

Saturday's discussion also featured former public housing minister Siswono Yudohusodo, a close friend of Edi Sudrajat.

"We looked further at the possibility, but right now I'm a free man," Siswono, a former Golkar deputy chairman, replied when asked by journalists on the prospect of his rejoining the party.(jun)