MKGR solves conflict, reinstates Tantyo

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)