News Focus - AT 50, GOLKAR DETERMINED TO ACT AS CHECK AND BALANCING FORCE by Fardah

Jakarta, Oct 30, 2014  (Antara) - For the first time in its 50-year-long history, the Golkar Party has decided to remain away from executive power that it always held and instead act as a check and balance force in the House of Representatives (DPR).

         Addressing a gathering to mark the Golkar's Golden Jubilee on Oct. 28, 2014, its chairman, Aburizal Bakrie, said that a healthy democracy demanded a system of checks and balances, and Golkar (Working Group), as a loyal, honest and best friend of the executive, is ready to ensure that the country has a dynamic and accountable parliament.

         As it marks 50 years in the country's politics, Golkar created history by deciding to remain outside the executive branch. Over the past half a century, Golkar has always been either the top party or came second in general elections, thus either always in command, or ruling as part of a coalition within the executive.

         "Now, for the first time, Golkar is outside the government. I think this is a new role for Golkar, which will act as a check and balancing force during the tenure of Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla administration," he stated.

         Vice President M Jusuf Kalla, former Golkar chairman who was present at the celebration, lauded Golkar's move, and said its decision to play the role of a critic is in keeping with the demands of democracy.

         "The government cannot be run well without (a system of) control and critics, because, if everyone has the same views, perfection will never be reached," the vice president stated.

         He, however, reminded Golkar to first implement inner party democracy, remind it that Golkar is part of the nation, of the governance system.

         "Democracy is not a perfect system, but it is our choice and a means to achieve a just and prosperous society," Kalla said.        
    "I also represent Mr President Jokowi, who could not be present here since he has to be out of town tomorrow morning, to congratulate the Golkar Party," Kalla added.

         Among the dignitaries and party leaders present at the Golden Jubilee celebrations were Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Zulkifli Hasan, DPR Speaker Setya Novanto, Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Hatta Rajasa,  Chairman of the Prosperous Justice party (PKS)  Anis Matta, Chairman of the National Democratic Party (Nasdem) Surya Paloh, Chairman of the People's Conscience Party (Hanura) Wiranto, Chairman of the Great Indonesian Movement (Gerindra) Party Prabowo Subianto, and Secretary General of the Democratic Party (PD) Eddy Baskoro.

        According to Bakrie, Golkar and other parties which joined the Red and White Coalition (KMP) supported President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's vision to develop Indonesia into a maritime axis, and also backed his Trisakti principles that envision an Indonesia that is politically sovereign, economically independent and culturally distinct in character.
   "Ocean is not the past, but the future," Bakrie said.

        He stated that the Golkar and the KMP would support the pro-people programs of the Jokowi administration, but would criticize the administration when necessary.

        "We will offer our helping hand, but as a true good friend, we will not just proffer nice words; a loyal best friend will not only remain a 'yes man', and always praise," he said.

        According to him, as a true best friend, Golkar will also be critical and will remind the government of its promises and vision when it is necessary, as well as offer alternative solutions.

        "This is the basic stand of Golkar, and I think the Red and White Coalition also shares the same view," he remarked.

         Golkar would not deepen differences, but will instead seek to build upon similarities to realize Indonesia's dream to become an advanced and a great nation, he stated.

         Earlier, the chairman of the Golkar Party's Advisory Board, Akbar Tandjung, stated that its decision to join the KMP over the next five years was final, and was meant in particular to strengthen the system of checks and balances in the DPR (parliament).

        The party needed this change from its traditional role to gain experience of working outside the executive and end the impression that Golkar only knew how to work within the executive, he added.
   "The party will mature if it gains experience as an opposition party. If it always stays in power in this democratic nation, it will be to its own disadvantage," Tandung, the former Golkar chairman, argued.

        The chairman of the Golkar Executive Board, Tantowi Yahya, refuted rumors of possible sabotage or impeachment of President Jokowi by KMP member parties, including Golkar, acting as opposition parties that dominate the Parliament.

        "None of KMP politicians has any such intention nor has mentioned that. Such statements have been reported by the media quoting certain groups wanting to incite the public against the KMP, or the KIH (the rival Great Indonesia Coalition that supports the Jokowi administration) against the KMP," Tantowi Yahya said in an interview with SCTV Liputan6.com, on Oct. 22, 2014.

      He emphasized that the most important thing was ensuring better communication among the politicians of the KMP and the KIH member parties.

       "If we stop being communicative, we will become hostile towards each other for the rest of our life. We will never reach any political deals. No compromises will ever be reached," Yahya stated.

      He praised the fact that Aburizal Bakrie and Jokowi recently met, and said friendships among rival politicians should be maintained, notwithstanding political differences.

       For the first time in its history, Indonesia is having a divided government where the executive is dominated by parties joining the KIH - the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) to which Jokowi belongs, Nasdem, the Nation Awakening Party (PKB), Hanura, and the United Development Party (PPP), which had  earlier joined KMP but later crossed over to the KIH.   
    Of the 34 ministerial posts recently announced by President Jokowi, PDIP was given four, PKB four, NasDem three, Hanura two and the PPP one post.

         Meanwhile, the KMP member parties comprise Golkar, Gerindra, PKS, and PAN.  The Democratic Party (PD) founded by the former president of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has chosen to take a neutral stance, but it shared views with the KMP on many occasions.

         None of the KMP members is in the executive, as they have decided to play a role of checks and balances in the legislative body.

        In a democratic nation, the system of checks and balances is meant to keep the executive, the legislative and the judicial branches balanced and to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.  ***1***
(T.F001/A/BESSR/A/Yh) 30-10-2014 20:56:54