Soeharto still controls Golkar

What we witnessed on Monday was nothing other than the fact that (the ruling party) Golkar is still in turmoil. First, there was the issue of the grouping's planned coordinating meeting, which was to be held at the Armed Forces Headquarters at Cilangkap. Second, a request was subsequently received for the cancellation of the Cilangkap meeting. The request was made by H.M. Soeharto, the former president, and was presented by (former vice president) Try Sutrisno. The reason for the request: Soeharto wanted the Golkar board of patrons to meet before the coordinating meeting was held.

There is quite possibly nothing out of the ordinary in Golkar holding its meeting at the Armed Forces Headquarters. Nevertheless, the meeting that is being planned by the party that has dominated almost every aspect of life for more than 30 years has left an unsavory impression among the public. The explanation that was given by the Minister of Defense/Armed Forces Chief Wiranto reflects perhaps some of the feelings of envy that exist among other sociopolitical organizations, who perceive the Armed Forces as still siding with Golkar.

The impression of confusion is also difficult to shed. Why was the plan to hold such an important meeting -- and, it should be noted, one that was to be held at the Armed Forced Headquarters -- not discussed in advance with the chairman of the Golkar board of patrons, who happens to be former president Soeharto? The impression is that there was no coordination. Each of Golkar's leaders appeared to be intent on going his own way.

In any case, the fact that the coordinating meeting was canceled at the "request" of the group's board of patrons shows that the presence of the chief patron still cannot be simply disregarded. In other words, without even having to leave his Cendana home, Soeharto still has the capability to control the majority seat holder in the national legislature. In order to become an independent party, Golkar still has to learn a good deal about how to shed its dependence on pointers and directives from above.

-- Republika, Jakarta