He said however, that he perceived a number of improprieties in the meeting that party chairman Aburizal Bakrie opened on Sunday evening. Citing an example, he said the ninth Golkar Munas was organized only a short time after the seventh Golkar national leaders meeting (Rapimnas), which took place in Yogyakarta on Nov. 20. The meeting'€™s organizing committee had also unevenly distributed identity cards and materials to party members who had voting rights.

Airlangga added he was confused to see that a number of DPP officials had been appointed as members of the meeting'€™s organizing committee or as observers so that their voting rights were invalid during the election of the party'€™s chairman for the next five years.

'€œThe meeting materials have not yet been discussed in the plenary meeting. I have also not yet received the meeting schedule and orders. It seems different treatment is given to those who have a similar standpoint. Party members with sharp criticism have been appointed as organizing committee members or observers,'€ said Airlangga as quoted by kompas.com at the Golkar Munas venue in Nusa Dua on Sunday.

Speaking on his intention to run for party chairman, Airlangga said he felt that he bore a responsibility to carry out leadership regeneration within Golkar, which hoped to win the 2019 election.

The senior politician also claimed that he had obtained support from 40 percent of voters in the party.

According to existing rules, all senior Golkar members have the right to run for party chairman if they have a minimum of 30 percent support from the party'€™s regional executive boards at regional, municipal and provincial levels as well as from Golkar's founding organizations. These regulations could be changed but only with the approval of all Munas participants.

'€œIf the Munas runs along with the party mandate, then I'€™m ready to run [for party chairman]. In a democratic room, such an opportunity is always available. My basis areas are in Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Sumatra and Papua,'€ said Airlangga.

Two main agenda items for the ninth Golkar Munas are the conveying of Aburizal's accountability reports as well as the election of the party'€™s chairman for the next five years. The meeting has drawn sharp criticism from a number of senior party members who have alleged it is being held mainly to smooth the way for Aburizal to be reelected as party chairman. (dyl/ebf)(+++)

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