Marwah says Habibie not pulling strings

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Defiant Golkar politician Marwah Daud Ibrahim refuted on Wednesday allegations that former president B.J. Habibie was behind the idea of establishing a breakaway party to accommodate Golkar cadres dissatisfied with Akbar Tandjung's leadership.

"This idea has nothing to do with Pak Habibie. The faction is merely meant to pool the aspirations from the regions that cannot be accommodated by Golkar," she said, referring to reports that she would form a new organization called the Madani Party.

"Pak Habibie is not interested in politics anymore. He is focusing on social activities now." Marwah also denied that she received Rp 400 billion from the Habibie Center.

She complained the media had blown the matter out of proportion and that she had no intention of setting up a splinter party.

"Actually, Golkar Madani is only a faction within Golkar which hopes to accommodate various aspirations. Its concept is to encourage a critical stance and opinion for the sake of the party."

Marwah, who hails from South Sulawesi, and several Golkar politicians known to be strong supporters of Habibie's presidential renomination bid last year set up an eastern Indonesian politicians caucus.

The caucus -- known by the acronym Iramasuka denoting Irian Jaya, Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, Sulawesi and Kalimantan -- firmly supported Habibie, who was born in Sulawesi, for a second term in office.

But with the fall of the Habibie government, the influence of his supporters in Golkar has also eroded.

Habibie supporters have also alleged that Akbar did not put the party's full weight behind its candidate's renomination bid.

Marwah contended that it was Akbar's leadership and his unwillingness to listen to alternative aspirations which were the cause of the problem.

"Actually, the (Madani) faction is not needed if Golkar is able to absorb the will and wishes as well as aspirations from the regions, and not act so self-centered."

She claimed the idea gained support from various party branches and that there was need to consult with Akbar on the matter because the faction was part of an attempt to further democratize the party.

Akbar challenged Marwah last week, saying that if she was dissatisfied with the outcome of the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in October, which rejected Habibie's leadership, she could leave the party.

But Marwah argued on Wednesday that it was Akbar who was not ready to accept plurality within party ranks.

"I think Pak Akbar is not ready to accept differences of opinions and views," she said.

While conceding they were not close, Marwah maintained that she "respects Pak Akbar as my brother". (27/edt)