TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has decided not to legitimize the Golkar Party's dual leaderships selected by two rival factions, Antara News reported.
"After considering all aspects, including judicial, facts, and documents submitted, we have reached the conclusion that the ministry of justice should not interfere in this dispute, as it the party's internal matter. So, we cannot make a decision for them," minister of justice and human rights Yasonna Laoly said during a press conference at his office on Tuesday.
On December 8, 2014, following their election as the party's general chairmen in rival congresses, Aburizal Bakrie and Agung Laksono submitted their respective party structures to the ministry of justice seeking legitimization.
"We have asked the party to internally settle the dispute in line with Law Number 24 on Political Parties, which states that in case a dispute occurs over a party board in the highest decision-making forum, a minister should not make a decision until the dispute is settled," he explained.
Yasonna remarked the government, however, recognized the two congresses as legitimate.
"After studying their documents, we believe the congress in Ancol was legitimate. The congress in Bali was also legitimate. Differences over leadership have arisen and they still continue. According to us, Golkar had better settle the conflict internally through dialogs first," he noted.
Thus, the government has referred the problem back to the party.
"We believe Ancol and Bali camps are brothers, know each other well, and have built Golkar together, and we also believe the dispute can be settled immediately," he pointed out.
Yasonna revealed that the decision was made after a team headed by the director general of general law administration, Harkristuti Harkrisnowo, studied all of the documents related to the Golkar party structures, which were submitted by the leaders of the two rival camps, and their related law provisions over the past seven days.
Yasonna stressed that the Golkar has been a recognized political party.
"Although the Golkar Party has been recognized as a political party, its board is still problematic. It has been registered as a political party legal entity and follows the laws meant for political parties," he added.
ANTARA NEWS | DESCA LIDYA NATALIA | INE
