Ruling Golkar promises to tackle unemployment

By Sugianto Tandra

MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): An estimated 50,000 Golkar supporters cheered as chairman Harmoko concluded the second day of campaigning, promising to "eradicate unemployment".

Waving placards and banners, supporters in this North Sumatra province shouted slogans supporting the development programs under the New Order administration.

Several supporters -- their hair shaved in the shape of a banyan tree or the number two which are the symbol and number of the organization -- waved the flags of Golkar and its youth organization.

"Golkar fights for the common people in the valleys, hills, and on the coast of northern Sumatra. Golkar always pleases people and never causes them problems," he shouted. The crowd responded: "Long live Harmoko! Long live Golkar! Long live President Soeharto!"

Harmoko asked fellow campaigner Rhoma Irama to join him on center stage. The dangdut singer's change of political allegiance from the Moslem-oriented United Development Party (PPP) to Golkar caused an uproar which led to riots in Central Java.

Rhoma told supporters he was confident with his decision to change to Golkar. He said Golkar had become more Islamic and more committed to the faith and to religious values.

In Lhokseumawe, Aceh, Rhoma called on Indonesian Moslems to vote for Golkar. "For me, Golkar is my only choice," he said.

He then rocked the audience with Begadang, which calls on youths not to waste their nights doing things which are not beneficial to their health.

Earlier in the day, in the predominately-Moslem Aceh city of Lhokseumawe, Harmoko said Golkar intended to improve people's welfare and promote religious life. He attributed the development success of the New Order government to Golkar.

Addressing a gathering of 6,000 supporters, Harmoko said the political organization intends to bring about "a multidimensional economic development", one that pays as much attention to physical and material development as to spiritual and religious development.

He said Western-style economic development has never been suitable for Indonesia. "Western-style economic development only focuses on the development of material aspects, which created individualistic, materialistic and hedonistic people," he said.

"We don't want those kind of people. We want Indonesians who are whole."

He said the New Order government had increased the number of mosques and other houses of worship, simplified procedures for haj pilgrimage and strengthened solidarity between religions.

In Dili, East Timor Golkar figure Edi Sudradjat told thousands of people never to question Golkar's seriousness in working to improve people's welfare.

"Golkar came to this region and brought evidence of improved welfare and economic development," said Edi, who is also Minister of Defense and Security.

"Not only have we constructed roads and bridges, we have also improved people's economic status, including that of the East Timorese," he added.

He called on the East Timorese to vote for Golkar on May 29.

"Don't turn your eyes to left or the right. Just punch the number in the center," he said, referring to Golkar's sequential number of two.

Another Golkar speaker, Sjarifudin Baharsjah, said the group has always made sure that companies and employers adhere to the government-set minimum wage regulations.

Sjarifudin, who is also Minister of Agriculture, addressed some 15,000 supporters in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra. "Golkar is always taking sides with the workers," he said.

There are 2.2 million voters in Aceh, and 6.13 million in North Sumatra.

In Pekanbaru, Riau, Sanyoto Sastrowardoyo said the political group never turned a blind eye to signs of moral degradation such as promiscuity and drug abuse caused by the misuse of the flow of information.

Sanyoto, who is also Minister of Investment, said Golkar had legal course to help combat the social ills.