Pros and Cons of Bahlil Replacing Airlangga Hartarto as Golkar Chair
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14 August 2024 16:15 WIB
Chairperson of the Golkar Party's Board of Experts, Agung Laksono, does not seem to be happy with Bahlil becoming the Chair of Golkar. He emphasized that whoever will nominate as the definitive Chair of Golkar must be from among the management. This statement responded to the issue of Bahlil being prepared to be at the helm of the Golkar party.
“Yes, having been a board member who is ready in real terms, legally, having been a central, or regional board member, it can be accepted to become chairperson. Although it is not automatic, it is a requirement,” Agung said when confirmed by reporters on Monday.
He said Bahlil was not a Golkar Party administrator at the central or regional levels. Therefore, if Bahlil advances the candidacy for the Chair of Golkar, it has the potential to be canceled. “So we cannot accept candidates for chairperson who have never sat as administrators, whether central or regional administrators. It will be canceled in the selection,” Agung said.
Senior Golkar Party politician Jusuf Kalla, a.k.a. JK, also mentioned that the Chairperson of the Golkar Party must be a cadre, at least having been a five-year administrator at the central level, and 1 year at the lower level or province. The statement was made by the 10th and 12th Vice President of Indonesia in response to the issue that Airlangga would be replaced by Bahlil Lahadalia.
“Golkar cadres, among other things, must prove that they have been administrators for at least five years at the central level, and also for a minimum of one year at the lower level or province,” he said.
The figurehead of the Golkar Party for the 2004-2009 period also rejected the party's national conference (Munas) and leadership meeting (Rapim) being advanced to August to elect Arilangga's successor. JK emphasized that the party must obey its own rules from the national conference, which will be held in December.
“Golkar Chairperson's tradition is to be elected at the munas (National Conference), and the munas will still be in December,” he said in an interview with MetroTV regarding Airlangga's resignation.
JK suspected that there was external pressure on Airlangga that made him decide to resign, although he did not dismiss the possibility that Airlangga had his own personal reasons. The reason is that he considers Airlangga successful in leading Golkar in the last election, with the increase of Golkar's seats in the House of Representatives.
“The National Conference is in December, therefore, we must obey it, the party's muruah (self-respect) must be upheld, if there are external pressures causing the party to fold, then what is the purpose of Golkar having tens of millions of cadres then?," JK said.
HENDRIK KHOIRUL MUHID I AISYAH AMIRA WAKANG | DANIEL A FAJRI | HUSSEIN ABRI DONGORAN | FRANSISCA ROSANA
Editor's Choice: Airlangga Hartarto Resigns from Golkar Chair, Observer: There is a Clash of Forces within the Party
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