Clean Golkar Caucus? BIG JOKE!

A group of Golkar politicians established what they called "Clean Golkar Caucus" to unseat party chairman Aburizal Bakrie. While they might pointed to the US$220 million tax manipulation allegedly committed by Bakrie-related companies as the rationale for replacing Aburizal, the caucus' name is a problem. "Clean Golkar politicians? What a big joke," a friend commented.

Zaenal Bintang, founding member of the caucus, said Aburizal shall resign temporarily. "He shall resign," Zaenal told the press in the residence of former coordinating minister for the economy Rizal Ramli.

So, who is the "clean" guy to replace Aburizal? Zaenal promoted Agung Laksono (currently the coordinating minister for people's welfare, replacing Aburizal). Agung is also deputy chairman of Golkar Party. Is he clean?

Well, that's not important for them. But they could ride on the recent political dynamics where Golkar, a member of the ruling coalition, is in the frontline on ongoing investigation on Century bailout. 

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Fights over cabinet

The possibility of Golkar Party rejoins SBY-led coalition started to heating up the relationship between coalition members. Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) warned SBY to "honor" the "deal" with 24 political parties which endorsed the incumbent.

Mahfudz Siddiq, chairman of PKS faction in the House of Representatives (DPR), said Golkar's reentry to the ruling administration shall not disturb the established coalition. "If Golkar finally joins the coalition, the should be given posts initially allocated to professionals, not the quota for coalition members," Siddiq said.

PKS, the second largest party within the Demokrat Party-led coalition, has reportedly proposed eight names for the new cabinet, including people like Tifatul Sembiring (PKS president), Hidayat Nur Wahid (former PKS president), Iwan Prayitno (legislator), and Zulkieflimansyah (legislator).

But Demokrat Party deputy chairman Ahmad Mubarok dismissed the rumor saying "coalition members already knew when it comes to cabinet, it's the whole authority of SBY to decide," he said.

Looks like PKS wants more seats in the next cabinet (now three). "At the moment we have 45 seats. In the new DPR, we will have 57 seats, so it's logical to have more cabinet seats," Siddiq is quoted by Tempointeraktif.com.

Sign of Golkar's reentry could be seen in Fahmi Idris' statement. He said Golkar has no other choice than to join SBY coalition. Idris is the head of Kalla-Wiranto campaign team.

Other than PKS, National Mandate Party (PAN) has also started to complain about Golkar's maneuver. "I think, we also have rights to show our resistance towards Golkar. It is better for Golkar to stay out of the administration," Patrialis Akbar, executive of PAN told Inilah.com.

PAN had also proposed some names to SBY for consideration in the establishment of new cabinet. Another PAN executive Toto Daryanto admitted the party proposed some names, but will be flexible on whether SBY add new seats or will reduce the party's portion in the cabinet. PAN has three seats in the cabinet, including Hatta Radjasa, head of SBY-Boediono campaign team. Hatta is reportedly tipped as coordinating minister for people's welfare, replacing Aburizal Bakrie.

Having Golkar will only complete the colors of another rainbow cabinet. The cabinet will be dominated by blue, white, green, dark green, light green, dark blue, yellow, etc. Like rainbow, it looks beautiful but needs clouds to exist. Rainbow disappears as clouds float through the sky!  

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