Rhoma entreats his fans

JAKARTA (JP): Dangdut star Rhoma Irama pleaded to his fans yesterday to accept his decision to run for a seat in the House of Representatives for Golkar in the upcoming general election.

"I can understand if some of my fans are disappointed. But I beg them to understand my decision," Rhoma was quoted as saying by Antara.

The "Dangdut King", as he is often referred to by his fans, will also campaign for the dominant Golkar in the election, an almost certain drawing card.

Rhoma was criticized by some of his fans when he announced last year that he was going to campaign for Golkar.

He took part in the election campaigns for the Moslem-based United Development Party (PPP) in the early 1980s.

He denied he was switching his political allegiance. "I was only a PPP sympathizer then. I never joined the party."

A riot broke out in Pekalongan, Central Java, in February a day before he was scheduled to appear in a Golkar ceremony together with Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana.

The riot was, among other things, sparked by PPP supporters venting their anger at his decision to campaign for Golkar. Pekalongan was known as a PPP stronghold.

Rhoma said he had been made a "scapegoat" and was a victim of vicious slander in the Pekalongan incident. "I'm sure that it (the riot) was not caused by the PPP supporters. It was most likely the work of anti-establishment people," he said.

He said he had carefully considered his decision to join Golkar.

Golkar has become more in tune with the aspirations of the Moslem people, he said. "I see that Golkar has come to side even more with the Moslem people. It has changed a lot, and I'm adjusting to this new situation," he said.

In spite of his tight schedule as a singer, composer and film star, Rhoma promised to be active if elected to the House.

Rhoma is fifth in Golkar's list of legislative candidates from Jakarta, and is therefore likely to be elected. Golkar currently holds eight of the 14 House seats allotted for Jakarta.

Unlike some of the prominent public figures who only campaigned for Golkar, Rhoma said he intended to take up his seat after the election.

He said he believed the House could do a lot for the benefit of the people. "I'm going to prove it," he said. (emb)