he Golkar Party, the nation’s second largest political party, has reaffirmed its support for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo amid rumors of fresh internal strife that could jeopardize the position of party chairman Setya Novanto, a key Jokowi ally.
During its national leadership meeting that commenced on Sunday in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, one year after Setya was elected party chairman, the party’s leaders agreed that supporting Jokowi’s programs and his reelection bid in 2019 was key to winning the 2018 concurrent regional elections and the 2019 legislative elections.
“We will instruct all members and Golkar families to support Jokowi’s programs. If Jokowi succeeds, then we will be well positioned to win the legislative elections,” Golkar secretary-general Idrus Marham said before the beginning of the three-day meeting.
The leadership meeting comes as the party is once again beset by alleged internal strife triggered by the party’s decision to back the now non-active Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama in the Jakarta election and the possible involvement of Setya in a high-profile graft case.
Senior party member Aburizal Bakrie criticized the party for backing Ahok, who was accused of insulting the Quran. The nonactive governor was convicted of blasphemy on May 9, two weeks after losing the election to Anies Baswedan, who was backed by the opposition parties.
Rumors of cracks within Golkar intensified after a court indictment against defendants in the e-ID case revealed that Setya was possibly involved in the graft case that has allegedly caused Rp 2.3 trillion (US$173.21 million) in state losses.
Several party members have called on Setya to resign, saying his implication in the case could tarnish the party’s image. Some have even claimed that it is possible that Setya might be named a suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
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