Observers look for new faces in Golkar race

Observers look for new faces in Golkar race

JAKARTA (JP): While Golkar's extraordinary Congress will
likely be dominated by familiar faces, demands for a new and
younger figure to chair the ruling political organization's
executive body were voiced yesterday.

Political observer Muhammad A.S. Hikam said Golkar needed to
introduce more credible and reputable candidates.

"Golkar, which is said to be structurally revised, should
never fall to the old figures anymore," Hikam told a discussion
on political reform, organized by Moestopo University's students
senate.

"Either deputy chairman of the National Commission on Human
Rights Marzuki Darusman, former cabinet minister Sarwono
Kusumaatmadja or Yogyakarta's Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X should
be the one," he said.

Marzuki and Sarwono are known to be critical of the
government, while Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX had a politically low-
profile during the past administration.

He said Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung, former
defense minister Edi Sudradjat and former vice president Try
Sutrisno, who have been lauded as strong candidates for Golkar's
leading post, were part of the old regime and were known as
loyalists of former president Soeharto.

The election of a new Golkar chairman to replace incumbent
Harmoko is expected to be among the highlights of the three-day
extraordinary congress which begins here today.

Golkar senior members A.A. Baramuli and Fahmi Idris also said
the next Golkar chairman should come from a younger generation.

"Aging figures, who have served long enough for the republic,
should not lead Golkar anymore," Baramuli, also chairman of the
Supreme Advisory Council, said.

"A duet of Akbar Tandjung and Muladi would probably be the
most appropriate couple for the next Golkar leadership," he said,
referring to the minister/state secretary and the minister of
justice.

Fahmi did not suggest any names, but suggested that the next
Golkar chairman should be less than 60 years old.

Former Golkar secretary-general Rachmat Witoelar, however,
disagreed with the inclusion of an age limit in the election
mechanism.

"The most important thing is that the new Golkar chairman must
have a strong commitment to reform and be able to develop a new
Golkar as an independent, democratic, aspiring and transparent
modern political party," he told reporters at a discussion with
Jakarta-based political correspondents yesterday.

Rachmat said Golkar now needed a figure who was acceptable to
Golkar cadres in general.

"I believe that Pak Edi is the connecting figure for all
elements in Golkar," he said.

He dismissed allegations that Edi represented Soeharto's
interests in Golkar. "It's untrue because it is Pak Edi who will
free Golkar from all Soeharto elements," he said.

He dismissed suggestions that Edi's election campaign was
financed by two of Soeharto's children -- Siti Hardijanti Rukmana
and Bambang Trihatmodjo.

"All of the accusations are baseless," he said.

Rachmat said he could accept Akbar's nomination, but suggested
the minister quit his ministerial post before joining the race.

"There will be no reform if Golkar is still chaired by a
figure from the bureaucracy," he said.

Edi is said to be supported by the Armed Forces Veterans
Association (PEPABRI), a group of outspoken retired generals led
by (ret.) Lt. Gen. Achmad Kemal Idris, and some senior Golkar
members, including Sarwono Kusumaatmadja and Siswono Yudohusodo.

Edi also enjoys the support of many Golkar regional chapters
as 21 of Golkar's 27 chapters are chaired by PEPABRI members.

While retired Armed Forces officials are behind Edi's
chairmanship nomination, Akbar is reportedly supported by the
Armed Forces Headquarters.

"You (journalists) should have known that ABRI chief Gen.
Wiranto supports Akbar's nomination," Rachmat said.

Support continues pouring in for Akbar from former student
activists of the so-called 1966 generation.

"I think Akbar Tandjung is the most appropriate person to
chair Golkar for the next five-year term," Theo Sambuaga,
Golkar's deputy secretary-general, announced in Ujungpandang,
South Sulawesi, Tuesday.

"Akbar has a good career in Golkar, years of experience in
youth organizations and vision for the future," he said.
(byg/imn/30)