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