Golkar's win doesn't harm democracy

Golkar's win doesn't harm democracy

JAKARTA (JP): Golkar officials are trying to placate critics who claim that democracy will perish if the ruling political group clinches a landslide victory in the 1997 election.

Golkar chief Harmoko said Sunday that some groups were out to spread false information about the dangerous implications of a Golkar victory.

"No Golkar cadre should be fooled by such information," he told a gathering of thousands of Golkar supporters in the West Sumatra region of Pesisir Selatan.

Golkar officials have, on numerous occasions, publicly aired their determination to expand its majority in the House but none have specifically mentioned their targeted number.

Harmoko, who, as Minister of Information, has firm control over the mass media, assured that Golkar is committed to developing democracy.

"If you believe such a misleading campaign, it is possible for Indonesia to plunge into the years of darkness where poverty and political divisions were the order of the day," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Established by the military to counter the growing influence of the Indonesian Communist Party in 1964, Golkar snatched 282, or 68 percent, of the contested 400 seats in the House of Representatives in the 1992 election.

The minority parties, the United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), obtained 62 and 56 seats respectively.

The Armed Forces, which plays a dominant role in Indonesian politics but does not take part in general elections, is reserved 100 seats in the legislative body.

Harmoko, the first civilian elected to lead Golkar in 1993, said under Golkar Indonesia has made tremendous progress not only in the economy but also in the development of democracy. (pan)