TEMPO.CO, Balikpapan - Golkar Party regional executive boards will evaluate the leadership of Setya Novanto, who have chaired the party since May last year, in the national leadership meeting (Rapimnas). They will challenge several issues, including poor achievement in simultaneous regional elections this year and alleged involvement in the electronic identity cards (e-KTP) graft case. "They may be conveyed by (regional executives) in Monday night meeting," Golkar Meeting Steering Committee chair Freddy Latumahina said yesterday at No-votel Hotel, Balikpapan.

Setya was allegedly involved and took bribes in e-KTP project, which is currently being tried. Setya had repeatedly denied the allegations in the project that caused Rp 2.3 trillion in state losses.

The allegations have shaken Golkar. Calls for Setya dismissal are mounting. Many fear that Setya’s legal case may affect the party’s electability rating.

Golkar senior politician Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said the Rapimnas will evaluate Setya’s leadership. Despite his weaknesses, Luhut said, Setya has succeeded in improving the party’s win percentage in the 2017 simultaneous election at 58 percent. Therefore, the man holding Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Minister post said that Golkar must consolidate ahead of 171 regional elections in 2018 and simultaneous legislative and presidential elections on April 17, 2019. "We should not think too much, the KPK is handling it, the legal proceedings is ongoing," he said. "Golkar is solid." Golkar secretary-general Idrus Marham confirmed, adding that the Rapimnas will not be discussing the possibility of an extraordinary national meeting. "Golkar is unanimously behind Setya."

Meanwhile, Setya said that he will do two things: evaluate the executive board and set up the strategy to win 2018 elections and legislative and presidential elections in 2019.

Political analyst with Poltracking Indonesia, Hanta Yuda, said that Golkar must find ways to save itself ahead of 2019 elections. Therefore, he said that progressive steps must be taken. "For example, any leader who negatively impacts the electoral aspects has to be evaluated," he said.

AHMAD FAIZ | HUSSEIN ABRI DONGORAN