Golkar's vision easier said than accomplished: Analysts

JAKARTA (JP): Golkar, the dominant political organization in Indonesia for the past 32 years, may have charted a new vision to fit with a reformed Indonesia, but its own survival hinges on its ability to match words with deeds, observers said yesterday.

In the past, given its strong political grip, Golkar got away with making big promises without having to keep them.

Now, its very existence depends on meeting its promises.

Indria Samego of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences told The Jakarta Post that the promises made at the end of Golkar's three- day congress Saturday should not be mere political rhetorics.

"If it wants to survive and gain public support, it has to draw up a strategy or a real action plan," Indria said.

"Its five-point agenda is too abstract," he said, adding that articulating the programs would not be an easy task for Golkar.

The ruling political group elected Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung as chairman Saturday and issued a political statement which many said was high on principles and but short on specifics.

Golkar vows to remain a significant force in post-Soeharto politics and to defy predictions that it would crumble into irrelevance. It promises to push for sweeping political reforms and assist the government resolve the economic crisis.

Golkar also said it is ready to become a political party, instead of a coalition of various political forces that had included the bureaucracy and representatives of the Armed Forces.

Indria said Golkar would have a hard time maintaining the support it enjoyed under Soeharto.

It can no longer take the support of the bureaucracy and the military for granted, he said.

Human rights campaigner Marzuki Darusman, who is one of 138 people recruited into Golkar's central executive board, said the group's survival depended on its ability to transform itself into a more democratic entity.

Golkar faces greater pressures from within itself rather than outside, Marzuki said. "Golkar still faces obstacles from its own `old' elements," he told the Post.

"Golkar is racing against time," he said. Once Indonesia adopted the multiparty election system, then Golkar would face fierce competition from other parties.

"If Golkar fails to carry out internal reforms, the countdown (to destruction) will begin when the new political law is enacted," Marzuki said.

The government of President B.J. Habibie is currently drafting a new set of political laws, that include allowing more than the three existing parties to contest the next general election.

Habibie has promised to hold elections by May next year and a presidential election by the end of 1999.

Social observer Mochtar Buchori was skeptical that Golkar would have any chance of winning the next general election.

"Golkar is the party of the bureaucracy. It does not have any roots among the people," Mochtar said in a separate interview. Golkar had only won past elections through unfair practices, he said.

Mochtar doubted Golkar's serious commitment toward political reform, saying that the promises were made to appease the public.

"They will do everything to stay in power," Mochtar said.

Lukman Harun, a Golkar legislator and a leader of the Muhammadiyah Moslem organization, said Golkar must end bickering among various groups and individuals within the organization and must assist the government in solving the economic crisis.

"Otherwise, Golkar will gradually crumble because its traditional supporters will abandon it," Lukman told Antara. (byg)