Golkar in SE Sulawesi split over leadership

Yos Hasrul ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Kendari   |  Thu, 05/08/2008 11:03 AM  |  The Archipelago

The Golkar Party in Southeast Sulawesi is spilt over the recent dismissal of functionaries in three regencies.

Functionaries in the province have called for an extraordinary chapter meeting to elect a replacement for the chairman of the provincial chapter, Ali Mazi, who recently dismissed branch chairman of North Kolaka regency Sutan Harahp, Konawe regency branch chairman Umar Saranani and Muna regency branch chairman Ridwan B.A.W.

"An extraordinary meeting must be held to replace party leaders in the province because the dismissal of the three functionaries is against party statute," chairman of the branch in South Konane regency Syaiful Kalenggo said Wednesday.

Syaiful added the dismissals have caused confusion among party members and supporters because leaders in the province have not given reasons for the decision.

Hundreds of people opposing the dismissals have occupied the party's provincial chapter office in the city. Many functionaries from nine regencies said they had withdrawn their political support for Ali Mazi's leadership.

Ali Mazi, also governor of the province, was previously acquitted of graft charges in a case involving a contract for the Senayan sports stadium in Jakarta.

Functionaries and supporters staged a large rally recently to oppose the proposed extraordinary meeting, which they said would endanger the party's performance in the coming general election.

Secretary of the party's provincial chapter La Ode Ate dismissed the call for the extraordinary meeting, which he said was against party statute and internal rulings.

"An extraordinary meeting is only held if it is supported by at least two thirds of party functionaries from 12 regencies in the province. The proposal will be ignored since it has been supported by functionaries from only three regencies."

Deputy chairman of the party's provincial chapter Djeni Hasmar concurred and said Vice President Jusuf Kalla, chairing the party, has dismissed any extraordinary meetings in the run-up to the general election.

He called on the politicians to accept their dismissals and their newly appointed successors because the decision was accepted by the provincial chapter's plenary session.

La Ode Halami, another senior party figure in the province, criticized Ali's leadership and said he was a "big pretender".

"Ali Mazi was lying when he said the party had remained solid under his leadership. The party has been in critical condition under his leadership and he is not a good cadre. He will leave the party when his tenure in the government ends," he said.

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