Golkar sets up special team to win 30% of votes

Adianto P. Simamora ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Sun, 05/04/2008 10:06 AM  |  Headlines

Golkar Party has set up a special task force, headed by House of Representatives Speaker Agung Laksono, to help achieve its target of 30 percent of the vote in next year's general elections.

Party chairman Jusuf Kalla, who is also the Vice President, officially inaugurated the party's election victory and control body (Bappilu) in Jakarta late Friday.

The 720-strong team is tasked with formulating strategies, conducting studies and voter surveys, and naming potential presidential, vice presidential and legislative candidates to be nominated by Golkar.

Agung said the team faced a tough road ahead, as it would be competing with dozens of old and new political parties.

"We are facing tougher competition next year," he said, referring to the legislative election on April 5, 2009.

"Thus, Golkar must be smart about understanding voters' hopes so they will vote for Golkar."

His subordinates include some big names -- Justice and Human Rights Minister Andi Mattalata, National Resilience Institute Governor Muladi and the House's Golkar Party faction chairman Priyo Budi Santoso, to name a few.

Agung was upbeat about his party's chances of achieving its 30 percent target.

"We are optimistic and we want to win with respect."

He said the party would soon set up a similar team to meet the target at the provincial, municipal and regency levels nationwide.

The target is higher than that set in the last election, in which Golkar won 21.6 percent of votes with 128 members taking seats in the House.

Kalla said his party must work to improve Golkar's image to win over voters' hearts in the elections.

He called on members to avoid graft and to take a professional approach to their jobs, as leading by example would be more effective in winning over voters than election campaigns.

"The campaign aims to change people's thoughts and opinions. It's about how to get more supporters and win their hearts," he said.

"But the best way to win voters' hearts is by demonstrating your professionalism."

Kalla said Golkar would not tolerate corruption or defend any of its members convicted of graft.

He also unveiled an ambitious plan to build a strong and democratic government supported by a majority winner in the elections.

"Golkar must win the elections to create a strong government. In a democracy, a strong government is supported by a party winning a majority in the elections," he said.

"But we must win using respected and democratic methods."

Kalla urged the Golkar team to implement the party's mission by setting aside more seats in the House for members aged under 50 years old.

He said the party would allocate 30 percent of its legislative seats to women.

"Sixty percent of legislative candidates should be young, energetic and smart," he said.

Kalla also warned party executives who were considered not to be doing enough for the party would be replaced.

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