History Of The Formation Of Golkar: Founded By Sukarno As An Anti-party

Work Group Logo (Source: golkar.or.id)

JAKARTA - Golongan Karya or Golkar was originally initiated by the First President of the Republic of Indonesia, Sukarno, to replace the party system which at that time was deemed to have failed to complete the revolution. But later the idea was taken up by the military, and continued to be used as a political vehicle for gaining power.

Golkar was founded on this day 20 October, 56 years ago or in 1964. Its contents consist of youth, women's, scholars, labor, peasants and fishermen organizations brought together by the military, especially army officers. The secretariat was then given the name Sekretariat Bersama Golongan Karya (Sekber Golkar).

Quoting the official website of the Golkar Party, the organization was formed not only as a gathering place for people from various groups. The Golkar Secretary was also born because of the underbows of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and their underbows in political life both inside and outside the National Front.

The Golkar Secretariat was originally a forum for pure work groups that were not under any particular political influence. Sukarno indeed initiated Golkar as an anti-party function. At that time he once proposed to dissolve the party because it was considered that he had failed to complete the revolution.

The formation of the party during the Old Order caused many conflicts. They are even busy pursuing power with one another. Therefore Sukarno wanted to match the dominance of all these parties, and finally proposed the formation of Golkar to replace the party.

Taken by the Army

Quoting Historia, Sukarno's idea was inspired by China and Yugoslavia which implemented a one-party state. In the parliament, the two countries have some kind of functional group or container representing groups that have a function in society. Then the idea was taken by the Army.

The Army then began to establish organizations that brought together various groups such as groups of youth organizations, farmers, journalists, and so on. The army was founded by the army at that time to compete with the PKI.

"An anti-party system exists in several countries as implemented in China. Bung Karno wanted to implement the system when he just returned from China," said David Reeve, author of the book Golkar: Lost History, Roots of Thought and Dynamics (2013), quoted from Tirto.

First Chairman of the Golkar Secretariat is Brigadier General (Brigjen) Djuhartono. Djuhartono was then replaced by Major General (Mayjen) Suprapto Sukowati through the First National Working Conference (Mukernas), December 1965.

Since then, Golkar has always been led by the Army and after 1993 only had a non-military leader, namely Harmoko. Golkar then became the most successful party. In addition, Golkar is also synonymous with the New Order political vehicle, Soeharto.

Golkar only truly declared itself as a party in 1998. The resignation of Soeharto was also expected to overthrow Golkar. But in fact, until now, Golkar is still standing and is still actively participating in the elections until now.