Golkar Claims Soeharto's Government Better Than Present Administration

Sleman, Yogyakarta, March 29 (Antara) - The general chairman of Golkar Party, Aburizal Bakrie (ARB), again praised former president Soeharto's government during a campaign rally here on Saturday, saying that it was better than the present government. "I am ready to run for president to revive Soeharto's glory," he said. In the final campaign rally in the province, Golkar presented a number of national figures, such as Syarif Cicip Sutarjo, who is also minister of marine resources and fisheries; Agung Laksono, the coordinating minister for people's welfare; Idrus Marham, the party's secretary general; Siti Hediati Soeharto, the daughter of former president Soeharto; Gandung Pardiman, a Golkar local figure; Rahmad Pribadi and Luhut Pandjaitan, former military figures; Haryono Suyono and Subiyakto Cakrawerdaya, ministers during the former Soeharto government. Thousands of supporters from five districts in the region attended the campaign rally. Aburizal Bakried, flanked by his wife and family, made repeated references to the Soeharto era in his speech. Golkar Party's campaign was similar to the campaign held some time ago in the city of Yogyakarta, focusing on the people's welfare. "I have already had a blueprint for the development through 2045," he claimed. He said Golkar Party would revive the glory of the Soeharto era, promising free schooling until senior high level for students if the party wins the upcoming legislative elections on April 9. Golkar officials said they hoped the party could win three parliamentary seats in the region. "God willing, Yogyakarta could contribute three parliamentary seats," he said after the campaign. Golkar Party finished second in the last legislative elections in 2009, garnering 14.45 percent of the national vote, with the Democrat Party winning 20.85 percent. Third place was taken by the Indonesia Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP). (*) reporting by cictorianus sat pranyoto