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)