Drama Before Airlangga Was Appointed Chairman Of Golkar

Meeting to determine the general chairman of the Golkar Party in the Xth National Conference of the Golkar Party (Mery Handayani / VOI)

JAKARTA - Airlangga Hartarto was officially elected as general chairman of the Golkar Party by acclamation Wednesday, December 4 evening. However, before the decision was read out, there were several interesting things. Starting from the resignation of Bambang Soesatyo - Airlangga's strongest opponent - to the closed views of the Golkar Party's wing organization, the Indonesian Self-Help Employee Organization (SOKSI) Central for Airlangga.

Bambang's resignation was announced at around 16:20 WIB, Tuesday, December 3. When giving a statement about his setback, Bambang was accompanied by Airlangga Hartarto, the Golkar Party elite who became Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and former Golkar chief who also served as Chairman of the Golkar Board of Trustees Aburizal Bakrie (Ical).

Bambang's resignation from the nomination market for Golkar Party chairman raises a question mark. This is because this was conveyed three hours before the opening of the X. National Conference (Munas). Although Bambang emphasized that the reason for his resignation was to maintain the integrity and solidarity of the Golkar Party.

Before he declared his resignation, his loyalists launched several attacks on the Airlangga camp. His last attack was that Bambang's camp accused the Palace of involvement in the candidacy for the general chairman of the Golkar Party. Not only that, they also mentioned the efforts of three Jokowi ministers to pressure the DPD level I and II as voters to elect certain candidates. However, this was denied by Jokowi when he gave a speech at the opening of the national assembly.

Bambang who resigned made Airlangga's steps smoother. The nine candidates who registered, including Bambang and Airlangga, did not appear at the National Conference. There is only one name that sticks out as the general chairman, namely Airlangga.

Another interesting story, apart from Bambang's resignation, is when the DPD and other mass organizations in the Golkar Party conveyed their general views. Everyone is unanimous in providing support to Airlangga. However, the Indonesian Self-Employee Organization Central (Soksi) did not convey its view.

There is dualism in Soksi. As the Acting Chairperson of the SOKSI Depinas, Bobby Suhardiman who replaced Ade Komarudin, clearly supported Bambang Soesatyo in the contest for the election of the party chairman. However, other Soksi, Ali Wongso's camp did not agree with Bobby. Finally, when Soksi expressed his views, the media crew was asked to leave the Munas area.

Golkar Party OC Secretary Nurul Arifin approached the media crew after they were told to leave. Nurul said, Airlangga wanted to convey something but the media did not want to hear.

Deputy Chairman of Soksi Ahmadi Noor Supit said there was sharp debate when confirming the debate when Soksi conveyed his views. The debate that occurred was about the legitimate representative of Soksi to speak at the munas. Ali Wongso's camp was allowed to give a view at this National Conference, even though Bobby's camp had a certificate from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights.

"The substance remains the same. But the problem is who will come forward as the representative," said Supit.

After the debate was over, for about 20 minutes, journalists were again allowed to enter the munas room. When reporters enter, the agenda is already determined by the general chairman. This is accelerated because if we follow the schedule, the general chairman will be determined today.

The meeting to determine the general chairman was chaired by Aziz Syamsuddin who was accompanied by Sarmuji as his secretary.

Even though a general chairman has been determined, the national assembly is still running today. The head of the DPP Golkar demisioner Ace Hasan Syadzily said the agenda for today's Congress was to carry out the agenda of Commission meetings which were divided into three. In addition, the National Conference of the Golkar Party will be closed tonight. This schedule was advanced one day. If you adjust the schedule, the closure should be held tomorrow.

"Later at 19.00 the Vice President, KH Ma'ruf Amin will close it," said Ace.