Megawati Bans Retret, Golkar Opens Voice For Regional Heads Promoted With PDIP

Deputy Chairperson of the Golkar Party, Idrus Marham. (Tsa Tsia-VOI)

JAKARTA - The Golkar Party requires its cadres who are appointed as regional heads to participate in retret activities in Magelang, Central Java. Golkar also appealed to the regional head who was promoted by the banyan party to participate in the activity which took place on February 21-28.

This was conveyed by the Deputy Chairperson of the Golkar Party, Idrus Marham in response to a letter from the General Chairperson of the PDI-P (PDIP) Megawati Soekarnoputri who ordered the regional head of PDIP cadres to postpone participating in the retret in Magelang, as an attitude after the PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto was detained by the KPK.

Idrus said the Golkar Party respects the attitude and views of PDIP which prohibits its cadres from participating in regional head recruitment activities in Magelang. Golkar, he said, did not want to interfere with internal party problems in this Republic.

However, according to Idrus, the instructions of the PDIP Ketum are an obstacle for regional heads who are also promoted by the Golkar party with the PDIP. So that Golkar also needs to convey its attitude on the issue.

"Of course we respect each other. But in political reality, it turns out that there are several regions, both in provinces, regencies/cities, where the Golkar party is in coalition, call a friend of the PDIP, one of them the city of Tangerang, the mayor of the Golkar party and his deputy from the PDIP and also many from the regions questioned because it was published that they questioned how we were," said Idrus Marham at a conference in Jakarta, Friday, February 21.

"Therefore, let us express our firm views from the Golkar party in responding to questions from elected Golkar cadres or regional heads who were jointly promoted together," he continued.

Idrus stated that the regional head recruitment program is a very functional program in order to build professionalism, provide enthusiasm and insight.

"For Golkar, it is a kind of work orientation for regional heads before starting the tasks that will be given. A kind of briefing, capital, work orientation. Because we cannot turn a blind eye to people who took part in the regional elections yesterday, of course, many people do not understand, for example budgeting, etc. it needs orientation by the Minister of Home Affairs," said the former Minister of Social Affairs.

Idrus reminded that the Indonesian government system is a presidential where the command center is in the hands of a people-oriented president.

"Therefore, the Golkar DPP ordered all cadres to take part in this retreat event. In mandatory religion there are consequences for Golkar cadres," said Idrus Marham.

"Similarly, for the elected brothers and sisters, both regents and mayors, where the Golkar party carries out even though it is not a cadre, we also continue to appeal and remind them that this retreat is a very good government program, which is very functional, effective in helping regional heads carry out their duties," he concluded.