GOLKAR SHOULD DEMONSTRATE MATURITY IN RESOLVING INTERNAL RIFT

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 26 (Antara) - As one of the oldest political parties and former political machine of the New Order Government, Golkar should demonstrate a mature outlook in dealing with internal issues and resolving internal conflict.          "Friends in Golkar are all mature cadres. They should not quarrel. Internal issues should be settled democratically. Neither side should exert pressure on the other," Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who is also a former general chairman of the Golkar Party, stated here on Tuesday in response to the internal squabbles over differences of opinions related to the holding of a congress to elect a general chairman.           Members of the youth wing of Golkar (AMPG) stormed into a Golkar Party central executive board meeting in Jakarta on Monday evening to protest against the meeting's attempt to re-schedule its congress from the previously planned January 2015 to the end of this month. The congress will be held to choose a new leader after the incumbent Aburizal Bakri, who seeks re-election, completes his term of office.           Clashes erupted again on Tuesday between the members of two camps of the party at its office in Jalan Anggrek Neli Murni, West Jakarta.           The conflict broke out after the Golkar central executive board plenary meeting chaired by Golkar Deputy General Chairman Theo L. Sambuaga decided that the congress would be held on November 30, 2014.            "In accordance with the mandate I received to continue the plenary meeting, which was suspended yesterday evening, I herewith reopen it," remarked Theo.           The plenary meeting on Monday was suspended when AMPG members disrupted the proceedings.       Theo said during the plenary meeting, it was agreed to hold the national congress on November 30, 2014, which was decided during the leadership meeting of Golkar in Yogyakarta. He then closed the plenary meeting and left the room.          The majority of the floor yelled and interrupted the proceedings, alleging that Theo had taken the decision unilaterally. It triggered clashes among cadres.          The two conflicting camps comprise groups, which each claim to belong to the AMPG. While one side supports Yorrys Raweyai, a former chairman of the AMPG, who is opposed to the rescheduling of the congress at the end of this month and the other claims to be the true members of the AMPG.           Raweyai stated that AMPG members were disappointed with the decision to hold the congress on November 30, in Bali, instead of in January 2015. The members allege that it was aimed at seeking acclamation for incumbent Golkar General Chairman Aburizal Bakrie's reelection.          "I told them that if they went ahead with their decision to hold the congress on November 30, we will occupy the headquarters and ask the government through the police to cancel it," he remarked.          He expressed hope that the party's executive board will settle its problems democratically in accordance with the party's constitution. There were indications that a group of people in the central executive board sought to lead the party for their own interest, he added.          "They have forced a congress through a national leadership meeting and through a central executive board meeting. A congress should not involve only individuals or a group but must involve all party cadres," he explained.          It was believed that the central board meeting tried to accelerate the congress, so that the other candidates would get lesser time to garner support in the regions against incumbent Bakrie's re-election attempt.          Many believed that Bakrie will face stiff competition from Golkar cadre Priyo Budi Santoso.          According to Vice President Jusuf Kalla, the rivalries between the two camps should be dealt with in a democratic and mature manner to avoid split within the party.          "They should not quarrel as it could lead to the involvement of the police," Kalla cautioned.          The vice president pointed out that Golkar had faced a similar conflict when it was led by Akbar Tanjung. However, it did not involve physical altercations back then and only boiled down to differences in views.          "I told them that no one should take undemocratic actions and exert pressure," he affirmed.          Kalla expressed hope that the Golkar Party would not split, and that a rival party will not emerge due to the differences in opinion regarding the general chairman's position.          "I do not think that they will split. It should not happen. I am convinced that they can still settle it. If the rift worsens, I will speak with the seniors (of the party)," Kalla informed the press at the Presidential Palace here on Tuesday.          Golkar Advisory Board Chairman Akbar Tanjung said his side will respond to the political rift within the party.          "The advisory board will hold a meeting. As the chairman, I will take this issue to the board members. We hope the board will provide suggestions and considerations on the current issues faced by Golkar," Akbar said on Tuesday.          Golkar politician Priyo Budi Santoso noted that Golkar Chairman Aburizal Bakrie should have been more heedful to the aspirations of the cadres, so that unwanted clashes in Golkars's central board office could have been averted.          "Cadres' aspirations should not be taken lightly," Priyo remarked at the central board office on Tuesday, adding that the opposition that led to the clashes had been triggered by alleged attempts to undemocratically manipulate the congress.          In order to resolve its internal rift, the country's second-largest party Golkar has set up a savior presidium. Deputy General Chairman of Golkar Party Agung Laksono said the plenary has decided to form a party savior presidium.          Agung, a former coordinating minister for public welfare, stated in the plenary meeting that the participants proposed the forming of the savior presidium to be chaired by him.          The decision to form the presidium was taken after Theo, who led the previous plenary session, staged a walkout. Agung Laksono then replaced Theo to lead the plenary meeting.          Members of the presidium included several candidates for the post of general chairman and cadres who had earlier been fired by Aburizal Bakrie.          The members were Priyo Budi Santoso, Hajriyanto Y. Thohari, Zainuddin Amali, Agus Gumiwang, Lauren Siburian, Yorrys Raweyai, Agun Gunandjar, and Ibnu Munzir.          Agung said the presidium restored the position of those fired by Bakrie, including Agus Gumiwang, Nusron Wahid, and Poempida Hidayatullah, and set the date for the congress in January 2015.     ***1*** (T.A014/INE) EDITED BY INE (T.A014/A/BESSR/F. Assegaf) 26-11-2014 12:24: