New Golkar leader needed: Kalla

JAKARTA: Vice President Jusuf Kalla suggested on Tuesday that the Golkar Party change its leadership in order to grow, but pledged not to intervene in the party's upcoming congress.

Kalla, a Golkar leader who was declared non-active by chairman Akbar Tandjung ahead of the presidential election, said new leaders would bring fresh blood into the country's largest party.

"In every organization, a change of guard is a must, but it's not up to me, and the government will not interfere with the process," Kalla said.

Golkar will hold its national congress from Dec. 15 to Dec. 20 in Bali. Included on the agenda is the election of a new chairman to lead the party for the next five years.

Golkar supported the Megawati Soekarnoputri-Hasyim Muzadi pairing for the Sept. 20 election runoff. -- JP