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