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Aburizal Bakrie : Government Doesn't Want Me as Party Chairman  

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Editor

9 February 2016 09:52 WIB

Aburizal Bakrie during an interview with Tempo. TEMPO/Ridian Eka Saputra

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The conflict inside the Golkar Party appears to be reaching its final stages. The party, which for some time has been polarized by two factions, finally seems to be heading towards a reconciliation. The national leadership meeting (rapimnas) held at the end of January agreed that an extraordinary national convention should be held to elect new leaders. The convention is expected to end the dispute between Agung Laksono, elected chairman according to the Ancol national convention, and Aburizal Bakrie, elected by the Bali national convention.

An important development prior to the upcoming convention is the law and human rights ministry's extension up to June of the Golkar leadership as approved by the Riau national convention in 2009. This specific organizational structure lists Aburizal Bakrie as party chairman, Agung Laksono as the deputy and Idrus Marham as the secretary-general. "I'm happy with (results of) the national leadership meeting, because the government acknowledges the Golkar leadership, as approved by the Riau national convention, to be the legal one and extended its validity," said Aburizal.

One other interesting development is Aburizal's speech at the meeting, which announced its backing of the Joko Widodo government. However, Aburizal made a point of stressing that the Red and White coalition, which supported the Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa ticket in the most recent presidential election, would not be disbanded. Before announcing this change in his political stance, Aburizal claimed to have met Prabowo. "I met him at Hambalang before the national leadership meeting," said Aburizal.

Two weeks ago, he spoke with Tempo reporters Tito Sianipar, I Wayan Agus Purnomo and Husein Abri at his home in Central Jakarta. Throughout the interview, Aburizal was accompanied by legislator Mukhamad Misbakhun and Golkar Secretary-General Lalu Mara Satriawangsa. Aburizal spoke openly about a range of topics, including his proposal for a return to the proportional electoral system and the Lapindo mudflow.

* * * *

Why did you announce that Golkar would support the government at the recent party national leadership meeting?

Although Golkar is out of the government, it has never been the opposition. We have always supported it. Take the debate over the 2015 amendment to the state budget, the 2016 state budget, the recommendation on Police Chief Budi Gunawan initially, which was changed to Badrodin Haiti. We supported them all. So, in reality, support can come from outside as well as from inside. Essentially, we have provided support after a decision is made, but now we hope that we would be involved before a decision is made. Then we can say that we support the government and together we will solve the people's and the nation's problems together.

By together, do you mean Golkar entering the government?

Inside or outside, as a supporting party, we expect firsthand information even if we are not in the cabinet. That's the essence. That's why I'm not using the word 'merging', because if we merged, it would mean we are in the government. We don't need to be in the government.

Has there been an offer of a cabinet post?

This is Indonesia. If we reject it, they would say we're snobbish. If we accept, they would say we intended for it all along. Anyway, that's how Tempo and other media would look at it. Only the negative side.

That's why joining the government would be interesting.

The best thing would be to join the government if I can contribute towards political stability and maintain it. Otherwise, the government will face difficulties in adjusting its programs. If we thought in terms being the opposition or pro-government, we can just let it fall. But I said no, not that way. In a presidential system, there is no opposition, unlike in a parliamentarian system.

Did you communicate with government parties on this?

No, and we've never consulted with the government parties over this. When I met with Pak Jokowi sometime ago, I told him, "I believe the state budget should be changed." He replied, "Go ahead, Pak Ical." When I wanted to meet with the finance minister, I informed Pak Luhut Panjaitan (Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security) about it to ensure there would be no questions asked (later on).

Before making that decision, who did you meet with? 

Of course, I discussed this with my fellow Golkar leaders and they agreed. I also spoke about this with Pak Prabowo, my friend. I told him,"This is so and so, what do you think?" He replied okay.

What exactly did Prabowo say?

He said, "We must support the government in these difficult times." That was mid-December last year. Then, at the end of December, I began to push Golkar to work alongside the government.

Did you also take the opportunity to ask Prabowo to join the government?

I said, "It depends on how you want it," and Prabowo replied, "so long as we're not in the government." I said it need not be that way. That's why the Red and White Coalition (KMP) will not be disbanded. It's an association that fought to keep Pancasila as the country's fundament.

You met Prabowo before the national leadership meeting?

We met before and after. I've known him for a long time, since he was just a lieutenant till he became a general. I also know his family well. We have always exchanged views and he often dines at my home.

Where do you usually meet?

Often at my office, because he feels comfortable there. But the last meeting, when I told him about the national leadership meeting, was held at Hambalang (Prabowo's ranch).

As KMP presidium chairman, you once declared that the coalition would be permanent. Has that changed? 

We remain a permanent coalition.

Even though you would be in the government?

With the government to solve problems. The coalition will continue to exist, but it will be renamed an association. The way we look at it, if an association is not possible, it would mean a fusion, which means only one party would be allowed and that's the government. So all of its supporters, the Nasdem, the PDI-P (Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle), would merge with Golkar. That cannot happen. We will not merge. (*)

 

Read the full interview in this week's edition of Tempo English Magazine



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