Golkar's rule upholds Soeharto's supremacy

JAKARTA (JP): Former president Soeharto will continue to be firmly in control of Golkar until the dominant political organization changes its statues.

Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tanjung said yesterday that the powers granted to Golkar's patron board, which is chaired by Soeharto, will remain in place at least until the extraordinary congress next month.

"These powers may be changed. Maybe these powers will be removed. Given the spirit of reform, there will be changes in Golkar and its organizational structure," said Akbar, who, like most members of the cabinet is a Golkar functionary.

Soeharto's position as chief patron gives him vetoing power over any decision made by the central executive board.

Akbar confirmed that President B.J. Habibie, in his capacity as coordinator of Golkar's patrons board, met with members of Golkar's central executive board Sunday night.

The meeting, which reviewed preparations for the congress, was attended by representatives of the Armed Forces and the bureaucracy, both regarded as branches of Golkar's big family.

Soeharto was not present at the meeting held at the patrons board office on Jl. Teuku Umar, Central Jakarta, nor were his daughter Siti Hardijanti Rukmana or son Bambang Trihatmodjo, both of whom are members of Golkar's executive board.

Speculation has been brewing recently that Soeharto is trying to make a political comeback through Golkar. The rumors strengthened last week when it became clear that Hardijanti and Bambang were taking an active part in preparing for the congress.

The Armed Forces however has vowed to fight to prevent "old political forces" making a comeback.

There have been reports that Golkar's executive board is split, with one camp led by current chairman Harmoko looking to distance Golkar from Soeharto, and the other led by secretary- general Ary Mardjono, who is said to represent the "Cendana Group" after the street where Soeharto resides.

Akbar denied the division existed. He said there were simply differences of opinions, as would be found in any organization.

"There is no such thing as a Cendana Group. The term was not mentioned at the meeting," he said.

Of the meeting with Habibie, Akbar said the patrons had an interest in ensuring the success of the Golkar congress.

"Of course the board of patrons hopes that everything will go smoothly and that the congress arrives at decisions useful for the organization's future.

"In this era of reform, Golkar must reform itself to face the future," he said.

Habibie also gave some pointers for the Golkar executive board:

* Maintain unity while observing the people's demands for reform;

* Strengthen the confidence of the organization's cadres;

* Preserve and improve Golkar's infrastructure and facilities built up over the 34 years of its existence;

* Draw up new statues and in-house rules to reflect the reform spirit;

* Draw up a new five-year working program

* Elect a new leadership board.

Golkar has won every general election held under Soeharto. It also dominates the House of Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly. (prb/emb)