Thousands flock to Golkar Party meeting

Thousands flock to Golkar Party meeting

JAKARTA (JP): The ruling political grouping Golkar officially
declared itself a political party on Sunday, with a massive turn
out at the Senayan Sport Stadium, despite criticisms targeted at
the institution since its main patron, Soeharto, stepped down
last May.

The estimated 200,000 people -- mainly from Jakarta, West and
Central Java -- packed the stadium from early in the morning.

The stadium was a sea of yellow, Golkar's trademark color.

Dances, traditional and modern music performances and air
jumps by Golkar cadres entertained the audience.

Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung read out the party declaration
and said it was dedicated to developing a people-oriented economy
and upholding democracy.

"Golkar will no longer be a tool for the political elite to
fight for their political interests and maintain the status quo.
It will be there to join forces with the people to develop the
national economy and to conduct gradual reform in all fields."

The next general election, therefore, would be a good occasion
for Golkar to win support for its political and economic
programs, he said.

Golkar was committed to free and fair elections, Akbar added.

Tens of thousands of attendees dispersed when an hour-long
downpour struck the Senayan complex.

Attending were House Speaker Harmoko, House Deputy Speaker
Abdul Gafur, Agung Laksono, Fahmi Idris, Fadel Muhammad, Slamet
Effendy Yusuf and Marzuki Darusman, chairman of the Golkar
faction at the People's Consultative Assembly.

Several people admitted receiving payment of between Rp 10,000
and Rp 50,000 to attend the gathering.

Soeparno and his 17 friends, all high school students from
Central Java, said they were paid Rp 50,000.

"It's okay during the crisis," he said, adding that they were
all supporters of the United Development Party (PPP) in their
home town of Semarang.

A group of women from the Palmeriam area in East Jakarta said
they were paid between Rp 10,000 and Rp 20,000.

"But we are loyal Golkar supporters and we have voted for it
in the past," said a woman who asked for anonymity. She said the
trip to the gathering was organized by subdistrict officials.

Executives vehemently denied reports that thousands of civil
servants were forced to join the gathering.

Akbar denied forcing 6,000 employees of state-owned PT
Pelabuhan Indonesia II (Pelindo II) to attend the gathering,
saying that no instruction had been issued to the effect.

"All people attending the meeting are Golkar cadres and
supporters and they came voluntarily."

Sources at Pelindo II revealed on Saturday that their
management instructed 6,000 employees to attend a "field
recreational orientation", which sources said was a code for the
Golkar gathering. It was alleged the attendees would receive Rp
100,000 each plus meals. The sources added the instruction came
from State Minister for Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri
Abeng.

Slamet Effendy Yusuf, Golkar deputy chairman said the party
did not use force to organize the gathering.

"Any use of force will no longer be effective in the reform
era," he said. (rms)