Golkar will comeback, says Akbar

Golkar will comeback, says Akbar

MANADO: Golkar will make a comeback to lead this country again
one day, says the party's chief Akbar Tandjung.

"It will seize the highest slot which is the president of this
republic," Akbar claimed in front of the New Order bulwark
supporters here, seemingly alluding to himself.

Akbar, who is also Speaker of the House of Representatives, is
on a whirlwind trip to Ternate, North Maluku and Manado.

It is no secret that a number of top officials have been doing
some subtle presidential campaigning ahead of the 2004 election.

Golkar, he said, was an inclusive party which was capable of
accommodating the plurality of the Indonesian society.

Akbar narrowly escaped from an investigation by his fellow
legislators when they failed recently to agree on setting up a
special commission to probe his possible involvement in a Rp 40
billion graft case. He is currently on trial at the Central
Jakarta District Court in the case. -- Antara

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National-scene-leaders
New Order culture persists
JP/4/SCENE

New Order culture persists

KUPANG: Chairman of The Justice Party Abidin Nasar, claims the
country's ongoing decline is a legacy of the 30 years of New
Order rule.

Today's public figures were groomed in the New Order era and
its culture of corruption and nepotism has continued
unrelentingly, making it extremely difficult to stop, said Nasar,
at a book launching here on Sunday.

He cited the case of Bank Indonesia's Governor, Sjahril
Sabirin, who has been found guilty in a graft case and Speaker of
the House of Representatives Akbar Tandjung, who is being tried
for his alleged involvement in a Rp 40 billion graft case.

"This is the most bizarre situation, in which top officials
keep their positions while at the same time being tried in
court," he added.
--Antara

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National-scene-rally
Militants to rally for sharia
JP/4/scene15

Militants to rally for sharia

SURABAYA: Leaders and activists from several Muslim extremist
groups are planning to stage a street rally in Surabaya on Aug.
5, to campaign for the introduction of sharia (Islamic law) to
the country.

Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, accused by Singapore and Malaysia of being
involved in a regional terrorist network, is expected to attend
the rally, which is being organized by the Islam Defenders Front
(FPI).

FPI leader Abdurrachman Cherid, who announced the plan at a
religious gathering attended by Ba'asyir on Sunday, claimed the
rally is being supported by Muslim organizations.

Cherid said the planned rally is aimed at urging the House of
Representatives to adopt and implement sharia.

"I think our intention is rational because the majority of
people in this country are Muslims, so we have the right to
uphold sharia," he said.

Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, the largest two Muslim
organizations in the country, have bluntly rejected a proposal to
adopt sharia. --Antara

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National-scene-Oecusse
Let Oecusse be part of RI: Legislator
JP/4/SCENE

Retake part of E. Timor: NTT Legislator

KUPANG: A regional legislator has urged the government to
negotiate with East Timor for the integration of a small East
Timorese enclave which is surrounded by East Nusa Tenggara
province.

Yosua Mooy, a legislator from East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) said
that his proposal was based on security and economics
considerations.

"With the inclusion of Oecusse, we can tone down our defense
budget on the border," Mooy said referring to the former regency
of Ambeno which is located between Belu regency and Timor Tengah
Utara in NTT.

East Timorese, on their way to Dili in East Timor have to pass
through NTT, home to many former pro-Indonesian militias.

Mooy said unless the government paid attention to the security
of land transportation in the area, it could become a source of
conflict. -- Antara