Golkar welcomes return of defectors

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)