Golkar not blaming Kalla for Central Java defeat

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Tue, 06/24/2008 10:01 AM  |  National

The Golkar Party will carry out an internal evaluation following its defeat in the Central Java gubernatorial election, but will not question the leadership of Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

"Pak Kalla still has full control over the Golkar Party," said the House of Representatives Golkar Party faction head Priyo Budi Santoso on Monday.

He said it would be unfair if the party's defeat was used to shake Kalla's position in the party.

"It was not only us who lost; other parties were beaten too, by even more than we were," Priyo said.

A quick count conducted by the Indonesian Survey Circle and the Public Issue Network showed Golkar's nominees, Bambang Sadono and partner Muhammad Adnan, took second place with 22.46 percent of the votes in Sunday's election. Bibit Waluyo and Sri Rustriningsih, nominated by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), secured first place with 40.42 percent of the votes.

Priyo said Golkar was not "too upset" with the results.

"We realize Central Java is not our main base," he said.

The Central Java gubernatorial election was Golkar's fourth major defeat this year in regional elections. Previously, its gubernatorial candidates were also beaten in three other politically important provinces of South Sulawesi (Kalla's hometown), North Sumatra and West Java.

Golkar is still protesting the results of a fifth gubernatorial election and recount in North Maluku. Home Affairs Minister Mardiyanto confirmed the victory of Thaib Armayn and Abdul Gani Kasuba in the 2007 election after a prolonged dispute. The pair was nominated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party.

Golkar, with candidates Abdul Gafur and Abdurrahim Fabanyo in the North Maluku election, strongly questioned the government's decision.

Despite disappointing results, Priyo said Golkar remained strong as a party.

"Keep in mind Golkar has won 41.2 percent of the regent and mayoral elections. This is the highest among political parties," Priyo said.

"The real power of political parties will be measured in the upcoming legislative election and we are upbeat about winning it," he added.

Golkar lawmaker Ferry Mursyidan Baldan agreed, saying "The result of Central Java election should not burden Golkar too much, as the legislative election is just around the corner."

Neither Ferry nor Priyo specifically mentioned the factors that caused their party's defeat Sunday.

"We will carry out a comprehensive evaluation on this matter. This will include the evaluation of our recruitment mechanism for gubernatorial candidates," Priyo said.

Asked whether Golkar had chosen the wrong candidates for the Central Java gubernatorial election, he refused to comment.

Golkar held a meeting late Monday at Kalla's residence to evaluate its Central Java defeat and discuss preparations for the 2009 elections. (alf)

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