Sudharmono urges MKGR to convene to solve conflict

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)