Sudharmono urges MKGR to convene to solve conflict

JAKARTA (JP): Former vice president Sudharmono suggested yesterday that the MKGR, one of the founders of the ruling Golkar grouping, resolve its internal conflict through an extraordinary congress.

But Sudharmono advised the conflicting parties to first try to solve their conflict amicably.

"An extraordinary congress as many have suggested is not a must. I think they (the disputing parties) should sit down and try to end their rift," he told journalists.

The highly publicized dispute pits Tantyo Sudharmono, the son of the former vice president and chairman of the MKGR's youth wing, against the chief of the MKGR's executive board, Mien Sugandhi.

The bickering within the MKGR began when Mien refused to acknowledge Tantyo as chairman of the new executive board of the youth wing formed in Lampung last month. Tantyo was elected for a second consecutive five-year chairmanship for the 1997-2002 period.

After meeting the President last Wednesday, Mien said that the election of the youth wing chairman was marred by procedural errors.

She admitted, however, that she supported another candidate and that she had made certain recommendations during the congress.

To settle the dispute, President Soeharto has suggested holding an extraordinary congress.

On Monday, Minister of Public Housing Akbar Tandjung stepped into the conflict, which observers say has become an embarrassment for Golkar.

Akbar, who heads the MKGR's youth wing board of advisors, said that he has arranged for Mien, who is also state minister of women's roles, to meet with Tantyo to discuss the dispute.

"Dialog is the best way to find a solution," Akbar said yesterday.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting between the board of advisors and Mien Sugandhi at the latter's office, Akbar said that he was waiting for a response from Tantyo.

Akbar declined to comment on the election process as well as the result of the youth wing congress.

Meanwhile, Golkar chairman Harmoko said Monday he was sure that the dispute within the MKGR, which helped found Golkar in 1964, would not affect the political grouping's performance in next year's general election.

"The dispute will not affect Golkar's showing in next year's election because it is the individual voters that count, not MKGR as an organization," he said.

He added that Golkar's central board would not interfere in the dispute. (imn)