Unattractive National Conference Of The Golkar Party

Golkar Party logo during National Conference X at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Jakarta (Mery Handayani / VOI)

JAKARTA - The withdrawal of Bambang Soesatyo from the nomination market for Golkar Party chairman makes the Golkar Party X National Conference unattractive. In fact, Bambang is expected to be able to make fierce resistance against incumbent candidate Airlangga Hartarto.

"It's just the acclamation. There's nothing interesting. Because it's only a matter of discussing the formality of the prepared event," said Al-Azhar University political observer Ujang Komarudin during a discussion with VOI, Wednesday, December 4.

With these conditions, Airlangga's acclamation is getting higher. In fact, Ujang considered that the Golkar Party National Conference this time was designed not to vote and an acclamation was created. So, this event can be processed faster.

However, Ujang assessed that Bambang's resignation implied an agreement in it. He believes there is a compromise between Airlangga and Bambang. The analysis is that Bambang's resignation is to secure his position as Chairman of the MPR.

"For example, with the resignation of Bamsoet it will not be removed from its position as Chairman of the MPR. However, it should be noted, if the Bamsoet camp is not accommodated there could be turmoil in the future," said Ujang.

During the registration of the candidate for chairman, nine people registered. The nine names are, Ridwan Hisjam, Ali Yahya, Achamad Annama, Indra Bambang Utoyo, Agun Gunandjar Sudarso, Bambang Soesatyo, Derek Lopatty, Airlangga Hartarto and Aris Mandji.

Golkar Party X National Conference at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Jakarta (Mery Handayani / VOI)

Apart from Bambang, Agun Gunandjar Sudarso and Indra Bambang Utoyo also resigned. Meanwhile, the other candidates were not equal to fight Airlangga. Such conditions also make Airlangga's steps smoother in continuing his leadership in the party bearing the banyan symbol.

The process of Bambang's resignation took place several hours when the National Conference was due to open at 19.30 WIB. Bambang resigned at around 16.20 WIB accompanied by the incumbent chairman of Golkar, Airlangga Hartarto and Golkar officials such as the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and former Golkar chief Aburizal Bakrie (Ical).

Bamsoet firmly stated that it had officially resigned from the contest for the general chairman. He explained that this was in order to maintain the integrity of the Golkar Party. He said that the reason for the cancellation of his candidacy was related to his desire to maintain the political stability of the Golkar Party.

"In order to maintain the integrity and solidarity of the Golkar party, I declare that I will not continue my candidacy as a candidate for Golkar chairman," Bambang told reporters when he was met at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Tuesday, December 3.

A few hours after Bambang stated this, the National Conference was held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. He came to the munas event with relief. Bambang sits flanked by Airlangga and Azis Syamsudin.

The opening of the National Conference was attended and opened by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). In his opening speech, President Jokowi asked Golkar cadres not to have any prejudice about him at this national assembly event. He alluded to the issue of the Palace which is suspected of intervening against several cadres to elect a certain candidate for chairman. Jokowi firmly denied this.

"Nothing. I guarantee there is no. If someone says, Mr. Secretary of State I give a guarantee no. Nothing. There really isn't. He said he collected the DPD. Which DPD was collected?" he said.

Jokowi asked if there were DPD members participating in National Conference X who were gathered by State Secretary Partikno to come to the front of the stage. He also offered a bicycle gift for cadres who ventured forward.

"Please, if you have, move forward. I give you the bike. As soon as there is a voice I immediately ask the State Secretary again, correct? No, sir. Right? No, sir. It is not true," he said, greeted by laughter from Golkar cadres.

President Joko Widodo during the opening speech of the National Conference of the Golkar Party (Mery Handayani / VOI)

Jokowi added that if a minister calls the DPD, it should be a minister who is also a Golkar cadre in the advanced Indonesian cabinet.

"It could be Pak Agus or Pak Zainudin Amali. Pak Jerry could be or Mr Luhut. These are all Golkar cadres. But if someone is calling out, please come here. Going forward, I will give you a bicycle," he said. Jokowi.

Meanwhile, Golkar Party Chairman Airlangga Hartarto said, with Bambang's resignation, the dynamics of the National Congress would be different. However, Bambang's step will be material in providing a general view of this munas.

"Of course this will be material in the general view at the trial tomorrow. So we will wait until the general view tomorrow. I heard that there are some who have also resigned. So we will monitor it," he said.