New Order forces emerge as reform in disarray: Analyst
New Order forces emerge as reform in disarray: Analyst
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The return of New Order forces, manifested in the nomination of
former president Soeharto's daughter Siti "Tutut" Hardiyanti
Rukmana as a presidential candidate, should be a sign for pro-
reform political parties to join hands, an analyst says.
Ikrar Nusa Bhakti of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences
(LIPI) said on Friday that the resurrection of New Order forces
was due to the apparent failure of existing political parties to
pursue a reform agenda.
"The return of New Order forces is caused by the
inconsistencies of the present government and legislators in
their pursuit of total reform," he said here on Friday.
The Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB), led by
former Army chief Gen. (ret) Raden Hartono, had asked Tutut to
run for presidency in the country's first-ever direct
presidential election next year.
Tutut, once groomed to take over the national leadership, did
not immediately accept the invitation but hinted that she would
run for the presidency if deemed qualified.
Ikrar said PKPB could grow, returning New Order forces to the
country's political stage, if politicians did not mend their
corrupt ways.
"Because the people are irritated by existing politicians who
amass state wealth," he added.
According to Ikrar, politicians today were more corrupt than
those previously.
Panda Nababan of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
(PDI Perjuangan), however, disagreed that the present government
was responsible for the revival of New Order forces.
He called for the national press not to produce reports that
influenced people to want the New Order back.
He said the government of President Megawati Soekarnoputri had
done its best. According to him, the present government had been
able to revive the economy.
"Please remember that there was no labor demonstration
demanding bonuses ahead of the Idul Fitri holiday. I think that
is a sign of progress," he said.
Panda said if the government failed on some fronts, this was
because it had inherited many burdens from the New Order
government.
Separately, the General Elections Commission (KPU) claimed
that it was not concerned about the many figures with links to
the New Order era, returning to the national political stage.
"As long as they follow the regulations, we do not care about
their backgrounds," KPU deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti was
quoted by Antara as saying.
He was commenting on the many veteran politicians nominating
themselves as members of the Regional Representatives Council
(DPD).
They are, among other figures, Kemala Motik Abdul Gafur (who
also joined Golkar's presidential candidacy), Bambang Warih
Koesoema (former Golkar legislator), Sarwono Kusumaatmadja
(former Golkar leader), A.A. Baramuli (former Golkar leader) and
Beddu Amang (former head of the State Logistics Agency).
Ramlan said the phenomenon indicated the failure of new
political parties to recruit qualified members.