BALI. Amid threats of a boycott by splinter groups opposing chairman Aburizal Bakrie, the Golkar Party opened a national congress in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Sunday. Under the vigilant eye of Bali Police and groups of traditional guards, known as pecalang, the congress was attended by all provincial party executives and three-quarters of the municipal and regency executives from 34 provinces. Despite earlier claims that the disputed congress was illegal and Aburizal had lost his legitimacy, it was attended by Golkar’s political friends and foes, all of whom were present during the congress’ opening on Sunday night. Representatives from the Red-and-White Coalition, an opposition caucus in the House of Representatives that is led by Golkar, also came to the event, including former presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, the chairman of the Gerindra Party. Politicians from President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s Great Indonesian Coalition were also among the guests, including the Hanura Party’s Samuel Koto. Party executives from two rival factions of the United Development Party (PPP), which is currently also in a leadership crisis, were also present. Djan Faridz, the chairman of PPP’s pro-opposition faction, came to the event, while the pro-government half was represented by senior politician Syaifullah Tamliha. In his opening speech, Aburizal reiterated the Golkar’s commitment to being in an opposition that will balance the government, regardless of the new chairman elected in the process. He also called on the splinter group, the so-called Presidium of Golkar Party’s Saviors, which is led by chairmanship hopefuls Agung Laksono and Priyo Budi Santoso, to return to Golkar since their movement to reject the Bali congress and Aburizal’s current chairmanship is “unconstitutional”. “[The movement] is a coup d’etat. It is against the party rules. A party decision cannot be determined by only one or two groups that have been intimidated and perpetrated violence,” he said. Aburizal claimed that the decision to hold the Bali congress, which is scheduled to appoint the new party chairman, was approved by members of the breakaway faction, saying that Agung and Priyo were present at a recent meeting in Yogyakarta to determine the congress’ schedule.

Aburizal’s congress proceeds with most Golkar members in attendance

Party still in state of schism, but pro-opposition faction retains control

Opposition against Aburizal began when he decided to support former candidate Prabowo in the July presidential election. The decision, made at the last minute after failing to reach an agreement with Jokowi, then also running for president, and his party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). Internal rifts formed when groups in the Golkar Party could not accept Prabowo’s loss, which left the party outside the government for the first time in 50 years. The splinter group declared themselves days after the Yogyakarta meeting, saying they rejected Aburizal’s authoritarian decision to make the rules for the chairmanship race. Attaining strong support from local party executives, Aburizal had decided that pledges of support for candidates in the chairmanship race be sealed in letters before the congress, while other candidates who later joined the splinter group wanted the endorsements to be determined during the congress. The splinter group also proposed that the congress be held next year, which would have given other candidates time to rally support from local party executives. On opening night, it remained unclear how the party will run the race during the five-day congress. Tensions erupted outside the congress venue as buses carrying numerous people claiming to be Golkar supporters tried to enter the Westin Hotel. A brawl erupted, injuring one member from Papua, a man named Abet Kobepa. PDI-P acting secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto said that as the leader of Jokowi’s coalition of parties, the PDI-P would not interfere with Golkar’s internal affairs. “We had the experience of the government interfering with parties’ internal affairs during the New Order Era. We don’t want to do the same to others,” Hasto said. “We hope and do believe that Golkar will be able to settle any differences currently rocking the party with musyawarah mufakat [deliberations with consensus],” he added. (Ni Komang Erviani and Margareth S. Aritonang)

Editor: Hendra Gunawan