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Golkar facing worst turbulence yet
Conflict over the Golkar Party leadership has been predicted to be fierce because whoever wins will have significant influence over the countryâs political landscape up until the 2019 legislative and presidential elections
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onflict over the Golkar Party leadership has been predicted to be fierce because whoever wins will have significant influence over the country's political landscape up until the 2019 legislative and presidential elections.
Golkar, which was the backbone of the New Order government, has frequently been rocked by internal conflict, but analysts say it is on the verge of experiencing its worst turbulence since the fall of president Soeharto in 1998.
The current conflict, which erupted into a bloody clash at the party's headquarters in West Jakarta on Tuesday, is taking place as the party plans to hold a national congress to elect a new chairman. Chairman Aburizal Bakrie's plan to seek reelection has faced growing opposition, with his rivals accusing him of abusing his power to threaten and intimidate provincial and local chapters.
Aburizal's camp has unilaterally decided to hold the congress in Nusa Dua, Bali, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3, sooner than the initial plan in January 2015. His opponents suggest that it is his strategy to block other candidates' campaign and improve his chances of winning.
Late on Thursday, the party's advisory council chairman, Akbar Tandjung, suggested that the congress be postponed until the two conflicting camps had reconciled. 'The council will actively take steps to mediate the conflict,' he announced at a press conference.
But many believe the congress will affect not only the party but also the balance of power at the House of Representatives, with analysts pointing out that Aburizal's ability to keep his job will determine Golkar's political stance for the next five years.
As the largest political party in the Red-and-White Coalition, which controls the House, Golkar effectively holds the most power, which could easily outmaneuver the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the party of President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo.
'There are outsiders who want to break the Red and White [by meddling in Golkar's internal matters]. We have to prevent this,' said Golkar lawmaker Siti Hediati 'Titiek' Harijadi, the daughter of the late Soeharto.
Aburizal has repeatedly said he would keep Golkar within the Red-and-White coalition, while his rival, Agung Laksono, is expected to leave the coalition and join Jokowi's ruling coalition if he were to head up Golkar.
Agung's motivation was apparent in his meeting with Vice President Jusuf Kalla, a former Golkar
chairman.
'I gave [Agung] advice,' Kalla said after the meeting. Kalla earlier said he was willing to act as mediator and facilitate a 'reconciliation' meeting between Agung and Aburizal.
Many in the government, including Kalla and Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno, have made statements indicating they want Aburizal's reign to end.
'I've told [Aburizal] directly that many think he has failed in Golkar. I also told him not to take any undemocratic steps, [such as] putting pressure on [regional executives],' Kalla said.
Tedjo earlier said that the National Police should not give security clearance for the congress to take place in Bali.
The government has promised Golkar seats in government if Aburizal is ousted.
Golkar politician Nusron Wahid has indicated that more Golkar members could secure senior government positions if Agung is elected Golkar's new chairman.
'It will be impossible [if Aburizal wins again],' Nusron said after his inauguration as the new head of the Agency for the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers at the State Palace on Thursday.
Agung, who has set up the 'Presidium of Golkar Party's Saviors', also filed a request with the Law and Human Rights Ministry to register the new executive board of the party, which excludes Aburizal and all of his men.
Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna H. Laoly said on Thursday that his ministry was weighing its options.
Aware that Aburizal's win could have a bearing on his chances in the next presidential election, Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto has stepped up efforts to aid the embattled Golkar chairman. The two held a meeting on Tuesday, following the clash at the Golkar headquarters.
Gerindra patron Hashim Djojohadikusumo, however, denied that Prabowo had joined the fight to keep Aburizal in power.
'We will never intervene,' he said on Thursday, adding that Gerindra was not concerned about the possibility of Golkar leaving the Red-and-White Coalition.
Political analyst Siti Zuhro from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) said it was obvious that the government wanted Golkar to join its coalition.
'Kalla plays his hand through proxies, such as Priyo and Agung, yet they are up against Aburizal, who is still very powerful,' she said.
Indonesian Parliament Watch (Formappi) analyst Sebastian Salang said that Golkar could sputter and become a minor political party in 2019 if it failed to settle the
conflict soon.
'The current conflict could end up with splinter groups leaving Golkar and setting up their own political parties,' he said
Meanwhile, Bali Police chief Insp. Gen. AJ Benny Mokalu declared on Friday that police in Bali were ready to safeguard the Golkar congress at The Westin Resort, Nusa Dua, Badung, Bali.
'We have closely watched the island's entry points, both seaports and airport,' Benny said.
Ni Komang Erviani contributed to this report from Denpasar, Bali
