Nurcholish faces uphill battle with Golkar

Nurcholish faces uphill battle with Golkar

Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Prominent Muslim scholar Nurcholish Madjid could help rid Golkar
of its shady image if he leads the country's second largest party
in the 2004 presidential race, analyst say.

However, the analysts note that the chances of Nurcholish
replacing Akbar Tandjung as its presidential candidate are slim.

Nurcholish surprised the political establishment in May when
he announced he would run for president.

He dropped another bombshell last Monday when he chose his
nomination through Golkar, the party associated with three
decades of abusive rule under dictator Soeharto.

University of Indonesia political analyst Maswadi Rauf said
Nurcholish had helped Golkar improve its tainted image.

"He is considered to be free of KKN (the Indonesian acronym
for Corruption, Collusion and Nepotism) and of the political mess
of the past."

Maswadi said Nurcholish allowed Golkar to revive its faltering
efforts to improve its image, which have suffered since chairman
Akbar was convicted of stealing money intended to feed the poor.

Two courts have found Akbar guilty of misusing Rp 40 billion
(about US$4.87 million) in funds from the State Logistics Agency
(Bulog). Akbar is appealing the verdict to the Supreme Court and
remains free, pending the decision.

He has managed to maintain party unity amid heavy pressure to
resign.

Analysts said Nurcholish, a party outsider and newcomer to the
political establishment, could be the cure.

"With Nurcholish, they (Golkar) may use him to show that they
have changed," Maswadi said.

But he added that by letting him in, Golkar did not mean to
make him a showcase of its commitment to reforms.

"There are other Golkar members who can be promoted to
symbolize the same thing Nurcholish does."

Considered the nation's wise man, Nurcholish's entrance
contrasts starkly with Golkar's dark past.

Analyst Daniel Sparringa of the University of Airlangga in
Surabaya said he hoped Golkar was not merely taking advantage of
Nurcholish, specifically using his spotless reputation and then
selecting another to run for president.

"Golkar should make sure that the selection is fair and
transparent. Otherwise it will pay a high price if the public
detects foul play," he said.

As yet, Nurcholish's contenders, other than Akbar, include the
incumbent Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla,
Yogyakarta governor Sri Hamengkubuwono X and media magnate Surya
Paloh.

The final five presidential candidates will be selected at
Golkar's convention in October. Its final candidate will be
announced next February.

Daniel said none of the current nominees stood a good chance
against Akbar, should he be acquitted by the Supreme Court.

An experienced politician and former minister under the
Soeharto administration, Akbar has invested much in securing the
loyalty of the party's chapters nationwide.

Nurcholish may draw support from Golkar's young, reform-minded
members. Without Akbar, he could further count on votes from
Golkar members of the Islamic Students Association (HMI), Daniel
said.

"But for now I look at Nurcholish as more of a second choice
for Golkar in case Akbar goes to jail," he added.

Analyst Indria Samego of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences
(LIPI) agreed. "It's too early to say whether Nurcholish will
have an impact on Golkar."

He said that aside from his image, there was little Nurcholish
could contribute to the party. Golkar might prefer candidates
with political channels and experience, or someone with deep
pockets, he said.

For Nurcholish, choosing Golkar is a make-or-break attempt at
winning the presidency next year.

Analysts say Golkar boasts the most qualified candidates and
has a strong foothold throughout Indonesia. This puts Nurcholish
ahead of his competitors.