National Conference Of Golkar, Airlangga's Fight Against Bamsoet

Illustrated (VOI)

JAKARTA - The Golkar Party National Conference will be held starting today, until December 6 in Jakarta. One of the agenda of the National Conference is the election of a general chairman. There are nine people who will fight to become the leader of the Party bearing this banyan symbol.

The nine names of candidates for Golkar's key candidates: Ridwan Hisjam, Ali Yahya, Achamad Annama, Indra Bambang Utoyo, Agun Gunandjar Sudarso, Bambang Soesatyo, Derek Lopatty, Airlangga Hartarto and Aris Mandji.

Al-Azhar University political observer Ujang Komarudin said, of the nine names, only two stood out, namely the incumbent candidate Airlangga and Bambang Soesatyo (Bamsoet).

"Actually, the competition in this National Conference is only in two camps. Bamsoet and Airlangga camps. The other candidates are only sweeteners and accessories," said Ujang to VOI when contacted, in Jakarta, Tuesday, December 3.

Ujang assessed that the seven other candidates who registered were only cheerleaders in the dynamics of the Golkar Party National Conference this time. He said, to make it look busy and look as if it were democratic, other candidates would be raised.

However, from these two people, Ujang could not yet speculate on who would be the winner. Because, he said, Airlangga and Bambang would beat each other up until the closing. "Still 50:50. Airlangga and Bamsoet both have wide and financially strong networks. They both become state officials," he explained.

President Jokowi is neutral in holding the Golkar Party National Conference. Even so, Ujang said, the general chairman of the Golkar Party must have the Palace's blessing for this.

"They both have to get the Palace's blessing. The palace will determine who will win, as Golkar heads at the National Conference this week," he said.

Airlangga and Bambang had already had a battle of opinion before the National Conference was held. Among other things, Kubu Bambang stated that there was intervention in the Golkar Party DPD to elect Airlangga, although this was denied by the Airlangga camp. Meanwhile, Airlangga also insinuated Bambang's commitment to run as a candidate for chairman of the Golkar Party even though he had been made Chairman of the MPR.