D

uring the 32-year rule of military strongman Soeharto, the Golkar Party prospered on the back of military power.

Today, the venerable party, led by a business tycoon whose flagship companies are reeling under debt, is seeking support from the military to revive its past glory.

While other major parties such as the Democratic Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) still ponder who to choose as presidential candidates in 2014, Golkar is looking for the right retired general to be paired with its likely candidate: Aburizal “Ical” Bakrie.

The logic behind its move to court former generals is simple: Military figures retain substantial clout in Indonesian politics.

As one Golkar politician who declined to be named said, “Any party that wants to win an election in this country must mobilize and seek support from military generals.”

Golkar’s Bambang Soesatyo said that the party had met with several retire generals as part of efforts to consolidate support for the 2014. The generals, he said, were playing “an important role” in developing Golkar’s political strategy.

“Microloans for small businesses and other populist programs are the results of the meetings with the generals,” Bambang said.

The group of retired generals courted by Golkar, according to some reports, include former Army chief Gen. (ret.) Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, former Indonesian Military (TNI) deputy chief Gen. (ret.) Fahrul Razi, former Defense Ministry secretary-general Lt. Gen. (ret.) Johny Lumintang, former TNI training chief Lt. Gen. (ret.) Sumardi, former Territorial Staff chief, and Lt. Gen. (ret.) Suaidi Marasabessy, the former chief of the TNI’s general staff.

The group is headed by former industry and trade minister Gen. (ret.) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, who is now a deputy head of Golkar’s advisory board.

The retired officers possessed valuable expertise in areas such as territorial management and mass mobilization and had contacts in remote areas, Bambang said.

Golkar, the strongest ally of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s Democratic Party, is reportedly eying incumbent Army chief Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo, Yudhoyono’s brother-in-law, as Ical’s running mate, although Ical has downplayed such speculation.

Golkar is not alone in seeking military backing. The presence of retired generals in political parties is the norm in local politics. Former Army Strategic Reserves Command chief Lt. Gen. (ret.) Prabowo Subianto is currently the chief patron of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) and one of the strongest contenders in 2014.

Former TNI commander Gen. (ret.) Wiranto, is the chairman of the People’s Conscience Party (Hanura). Meanwhile, other parties in the House of Representatives, such as the PDI-P, also have retired generals on their executive boards or serving as lawmakers.

The trend is not likely to end soon, as retired generals hold the top posts in some new parties, such as the
National Republic Party co-founded by Maj. Gen. (ret.) Edy Waluyo.

Mobilizing former generals, however, is not likely to be enough in 2014. Golkar, under the leadership of Ical — whose wealth reportedly dwindled from US$2.1 billion last year to $890 million according to Forbes magazine — has launched a several populist programs aiming at creating grassroots support in the regions.

The party’s “Ayo Bangkit” program, for example, provides loans and training to villagers, mainly farmers. Ical himself and several Golkar executives have begun visiting villages across the nation to promote the program.

Teachers have also been targeted by Golkar. Last week, Ical attended an event to mark National Teachers’ Day with the Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI).