GOLKAR TO CHANGE STAND ON SBY-KALLA GOVERNMENT?

By Andi Abdussalam Jakarta, June 10 (ANTARA) - In the run up to the 2009 general elections, legislators of the Golkar Party made a surprise statement last week. The Golkar faction (FPG) in the House of Representatives (DPR) said it was considering changing its political stand and orientation towards the government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK). Chaired by the vice president, the Golkar Party has been the main supporter of the SBY-JK administration. Thus, the statement made by FPG chairman Priyo Budi Santoso last week was like a bolt of lightning in broad daylight. He said the Golkar Party was considering changing its political stand and direction with regard to its support to the government. In other words, all members of the FPG were free to express whatever opinion on all matters pertaining to the problems being faced by the nation. "The change in FPG's attitude is effective as of today," FPG chairman Priyo Budi Santoso said at a press conference at the House of Representatives building on Friday last week. The Golkar party which served as the government's political machine during the New Order era, has so far given its full support to the SBY-Kalla administration. It provides its full support to the government through the parliament. "We have been providing full support for the government with all our energy and strength. But Golkar does not obtain proper appreciation from the government," Priyo said. The FPG seemed to be disappointed by certain policies adopted by the government. Priyo said many government polices had disadvantaged Golkar. He mentioned, among other things, the government's policies with regard to regional head elections in the provinces of North Maluku and Lampung. In these cases, where there were disputes on election poll results , the policies pursued by the government had disadvantaged Golkar. Golkar also felt it was disadvantaged in the appointment of a number of ambassadors. "The Maluku case is only the latest of cases that have harmed Golkar's interest," Priyo said. With the change in its stand, the FPG now allowed its members to develop their aspirations, including through the use of their inquiry and interpellation rights towards the SBY-Kalla government. The FPG's statement on withdrawing its support for the government immediately drew speculations where some linked it with the 2009 general election, the campaign for which was about to kick off. A co-founding member of President Yudhoyono's Democrat Party, Hencky Luntungan, said the FPG's maneuver was not more than a desire to position Golkar Chairman Jusuf Kalla. "I think this maneuver is deliberately created to demonstrate that Golkar is outspoken," said Luntungan who is also chairman of the Trisula Nusantara non-governmental organization. He said though it took a critical stand on the government, the Golkar Party was actually willing to position Jusuf Kalla as a running mate for Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in the coming elections. "By doing so, it can build a stronger bargain. So, this is deliberately created," he said. But he also said that the Golkar maneuver was a form of cold war as it was reluctant to 'fight' openly. Democrat Party Executive Board Chairman Anas Urbaningrum said that although there was a change in the political stand of Golkar, the SBY-Kalla administration would continue until the end of their term. There was even a chance of the two leaders continuing to pair up in the coming 2009 presidential election, he said. According to him, the Democrat Party understands that each party had its own freedom to choose its own political stand and orientation. "Each party has its own freedom to decide and change its political stand. The Golkar Party has its own right to give its faction members the freedom to take a stand on factual matters," Anas added. Anas was convinced that Golkar leaders would be wise in taking actions. "As the biggest and most senior political party, the Golkar Party, I believe, will act maturely as well as wisely and will set an example for other political parties on how to behave politically with responsibility," he said. Golkar Deputy Chairman Agung Laksono, who is also DPR Speaker, said the Golkar Party's political stand remained unchanged, namely to support President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's and Vice President Jusuf Kalla's administration until they completed their term of office in 2009. The political stand was the result of the party's national congress held in Bali in 2004. Therefore, any change in the political stand must be endorsed by a decision of the party's highest law making body or national leadership meeting. Agung Laksono saw as "reasonable" the stand taken by the party faction in the DPR to withdraw its support for the government. The stand was taken in reaction to the party faction's disappointment at the government."After all, we should preserve our good relations with the government without relinquishing the party faction's critical stand particularly when it is struggling for the people's aspirations," he said. - end.