MKGR solves conflict, reinstates Tantyo
JAKARTA (JP): The leadership conflict within MKGR, a faction of the nation's dominant political organization, Golkar, ended yesterday with the swearing in of Tantyo A.P. Sudharmono as chairman of its youth wing.
MKGR chief Mien Sugandhi, who previously opposed the election of Tantyo in the Gema MKGR congress in Lampung last month, installed the son of former vice president Sudharmono at the end of a tense 12-hour marathon meeting.
The "family-style dialog" between the disputing parties was undertaken to avoid an extraordinary congress, which President Soeharto had suggested as a way to stop the bickering in the organization which helped found Golkar.
Also present at the meeting were the chief of the organization's advisory board, Akbar Tanjung, the minister of public housing, and board member Abdul Latief, the minister of manpower.
Mien, who is also minister for women's roles, called on all members to accept the meeting's decision and to stop the bickering.
"I'm calling on all members of Gema MKGR not to make any noises about standing for or against Tantyo, we're all under MKGR," she was quoted by Antara as saying. "Forget differences, develop unity."
Akbar acknowledged that not everybody would be satisfied with the conclusion. "It's the result of the maximal efforts of the meeting. Everybody has to respect it," he said.
Tantyo thanked Mien, but refused to make any further comments.
The meeting also decided to retain most of the members of the existing board, including secretary-general Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, who is the son of Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita, and treasurer, M. Hasan Hasibuan.
Tense
Antara reported that the meeting was tense, with occasional outbreaks of cheering by Tantyo's supporters. It started at 2 p.m. Saturday and lasted through 2 a.m. yesterday when Mien installed Tantyo.
Observers have voiced concern over factional strife within Golkar, pointing out that it could have an adverse, although small impact on Golkar's performance in next year's general election.
Besides MKGR, Kosgoro, also one of the organizations that founded Golkar, has been shaken by internal conflict.
The bickering within the MKGR began when Mien Sugandhi refused to acknowledge Tantyo as chairman of the new executive board of the youth wing formed in Lampung last month. Tantyo was elected for a second consecutive five-year chairmanship for the 1997-2002 period.
Mien, who admitted having her own preference for the disputed post, argued that Tantyo was elected in a process full of procedural flaws. She blamed the situation on activists whom she did not identify. She accused them of trying to wreak havoc in the organization. (swe)