Golkar's future

Golkar's future

Golkar's recent special convention elected Akbar Tandjung
chief of the party's executive board. His victory embarrassed a
number of senior military officers, who are still reluctant to
let control of Golkar slip from their hands. However, their
chances are not entirely exhausted, as they are now planning to
join Megawati Soekarnoputri (ousted chairperson of the Indonesian
Democratic Party) -- who has already forged an affiliation with
(Nahdlatul Ulama chairman) Abdurrahman Wahid.

Reports meanwhile say defections from Golkar are expected.
Great skill is therefore needed by Akbar to ensure that Golkar
remains afloat in Indonesia's political waters, now and in the
future.

For Golkar, Akbar's victory over (retired Army general) Edi
Sudrajat was a blessing. The active role which the (retired)
senior Armed Forces officers are playing demonstrates their
inability to comprehend that the winds of change have started
blowing, and that generals -- who are still maintaining a strong
military attitude despite the fact that they are no longer in
active duty -- are no longer wanted to lead political parties.

In the forthcoming general election -- in which a combination
of the district and proportional systems will be applied -- the
district system is expected to dominate. Coalitions are expected
to emerge -- such as that of Gus Dur (Abdurrahman Wahid),
Megawati and the retired generals with their Barisan Nasional
front -- which means that the existing political parties will be
reduced in number. Bargaining among parties could occur. Under
such circumstances, is Golkar certain that it will be able to
stand on its own feet, without forming a coalition with other
parties? Or, what concessions is Golkar willing to make to other
parties in case it needs allies?

It takes a great deal of time and energy to answer all those
challenges as Golkar can no longer rely on the special privileges
it has enjoyed for the past three decades. Golkar will have to
define a new strategy to counter the defections now that it can
no longer depend on the support of the bureaucracy, which in the
past contributed almost four million votes to the party.

-- Republika, Jakarta