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Web-only Exclusives November 30, 2000 From Our Correspondent: Hirohito and the War A conversation with biographer Herbert Bix From Our Correspondent: A Rough Road Ahead Bad news for the Philippines - and some others From Our Correspondent: Making Enemies Indonesia needs friends. So why is it picking fights? |
Propaganda Man
Spreading the Golkar message
GOLKAR'S CHAIRMAN, 58-YEAR-OLD INFORMATION Minister Harmoko, is crisscrossing the country trying to sell Golkar's message of continuity and stability. At the same time, he is boosting his own profile. The ex-journalist is occasionally mentioned as a v.p. candidate in next year's presidential selection, though he may be too conservative for even Suharto. Senior Correspondent Keith Loveard caught up with Harmoko in Lombok, eastern Indonesia. Excerpts from their talk:
You distinguish between radical and progressive change. What do you mean?
Golkar is committed to change in line with our Constitution and the state ideology of Pancasila [five principles: development, democracy, human rights, social justice and belief in a supreme being]. Such a program benefits the people.
Some people think such change is too slow.
They are not impatient but people who disturb security by rioting, and by burning shops and cars. These are crimes not political statements. We must correct their attitudes.
Many Indonesians see Golkar as corrupt.
There is no country that does not have corruption. If there are people within Golkar who do this sort of thing, it is not Golkar itself but individuals. They have to face the law.
Should the government, the military, the bureaucracy and Golkar be separated?
They are already separate. It is the same as in Malaysia. Mahathir Mohamad is prime minister yet also head of UMNO. I work in government as information minister. As head of Golkar, I look after the business of the party. We do not see the bureaucracy as Golkar. The members of Golkar are individuals, not representatives of their offices.
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