Golkar's perpetual arrogance

Golkar's perpetual arrogance

From Tempo

It seems that the Functional Group (Golkar) still retains its arrogant and over-confident attitude, characteristics it perpetuated during the New Order era. Golkar feels that there is no reason for the party to apologize to the Indonesian people for all the calamities that have befallen us.

In fact, we are all aware that Golkar is the source of all the crises the nation has to experience today. Therefore, Golkar is not only required to apologize but also to cease to exist. And there is no need for Golkar to turn itself into a political party with the aim of taking part in the general elections.

Golkar has committed an even more serious mistake by appointing such controversial figures as Try Sutrisno who was allegedly involved in the bloody events in Tanjung Priok, Aceh and East Timor as patron of the party. Golkar has also appointed J.B. Sumarlin as an advisor. Sumarlin is one of the key figures in the Eddy Tanzil mega-corruption case.

Furthermore, Golkar doesn't seem to be serious in eradicating corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) by retaining the old personnel, albeit their positions now having been altered. Actually Golkar must expel its KKN-stained members from the cabinet and from the executive board.

All these facts are actually a disadvantage for Golkar itself and at the same time provide an "opportunity" for other parties to grab its positions.

MOH. ABDUL KARIM

Jakarta