Rhoma entreats his fans

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)