Same old Golkar

Same old Golkar

From Merdeka

Akbar Tandjung's statement in his capacity as Golkar chairman
that we do not need political experiments is an obvious dig
against people who, in his opinion, are newcomers to the
political arena. He means people who have just ventured into the
Indonesian political jungle, such as Amien Rais, Nur Mahmudi
Isma'il and Yusril Mahendra.

Look closer and we see the statement is a substitute, albeit
one and the same, of the assertion often made by the Golkar
functional group, the vehicle of Soeharto and his cronies until
today, that development requires continuity. In other words, can
it be taken that Golkar must continue to win to ensure the
continuity of development? If Golkar lost, would it mean
development would come to a halt?

Put another way, it follows that if Golkar does not rule,
political experiments will take place.

It is proof that Golkar has not changed, but still resorts to
the old paradigm. It has not learned its lesson. It is
unrepentant. Its apology is mere maneuvering.

I concur with the opinion that Golkar should be punished. It
would be comparable to receiving a red card in football. It must
be prohibited from participating in the next two general
elections.

Is that democratic? It is very democratic. To allow a party
which violated the election rules to join the election again
would be very undemocratic. Golkar has acted against the rules
not once, but six times.

Being democratic means not allowing the culprit to commit
offenses arbitrarily, which was Golkar because of its power. To
allow Golkar to join the general election would be tantamount to
permitting a player to foul an opponent so roughly as to disable
him. That was done by Golkar against the Indonesian Democratic
Party faction of Megawati in the most recent election.

I would like to remind all the Indonesian people who wish this
country to change into a new Indonesia that is religious and
democratic to be wary of people like Akbar Tanjung and chairman
of the Supreme Advisory Council Baramuli. Advancing toward a new
Indonesia certainly requires a new paradigm, even though this is,
in Akbar Tanjung's opinion, an "experiment".

ABDUL WAHID

Jakarta