Indonesia’s Jokowi benefits from Golkar turmoil

Asia Sentinel

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Coal magnate Bakrie could lose the chair of biggest opposition party
Golkar Party chairman Aburizal Bakrie (C) in Jakarta, Indonesia, 18 March 2014. Bagus Indahono/EPA

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Indonesian President Joko Widodo is keenly watching a tense showdown over the leadership of the country’s biggest political party, Golkar, as reformers seek to to push out coal tycoon Aburizal Bakrie as party head.

“It looks like a battle royale,” said a well-placed foreign source. “The Bakrie forces are clinging to power in the face of a concerted push from within Golkar to dump him.” Bakrie infuriated members of his own party earlier this year by joining a coalition headed by former Army General Prabowo Subianto to contest the presidency after his own presidential hopes were dashed.

Jusuf Kalla, Jokowi’s vice president, is a member of Golkar and former party chairman. A foe of Bakrie’s, he has offered to step into the dispute if Golkar cannot resolve its problems.

“I believe they can settle the problem. If they can’t, I will talk to the seniors,” Kalla told reporters on Tuesday, November 25, at his office. “I hope the party won’t be divided. I believe my friends are mature.” Kalla said there is disappointment with Bakrie’s leadership style, which critics characterize as undemocratic.

For Kalla and Jokowi what is at stake is trying to get the large bloc of Golkar votes in the House of Representatives on the administration’s side and away from the opposition coalition, headed by losing presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto.

Continue reading “Indonesia’s Jokowi benefits from Golkar turmoil” on Asia Sentinel.

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