Devi Asmarani, Jakarta – Indonesia's second-largest political party, Golkar, could be coming apart at the seams.

Several top members have been named and now join chairman Akbar Tandjung as key suspects in graft scandals that their political rivals are reportedly exploiting to undermine the once powerful party.

The future of the one-time ruling party is now being questioned as it struggles to fight the demoralising effect of the scandals that have widened internal rifts in the party.

Mr Akbar, who is also Speaker of Parliament, is being investigated for allegedly misusing 40 billion rupiah (S$7 million) in state funds when he served as a minister in the administration of former president B.J. Habibie.

Two of his deputies in the party, Mr Ginandjar Kartasasmita and Mr Abdul Gafur, and Golkar legislator Nurdin Halid were also implicated in three separate scandals.

The scandals pose a major challenge to the party's efforts to clean up its image – tainted by its three-decade-long association with the New Order government of former president Suharto. Mr Abdul Gafur said: "There is a grand strategy to destroy Golkar's image." The most damaging of all is the case involving Mr Akbar, who is suspected of using state money to finance Golkar's campaign in the 1999 general election. Said senior Golkar member Suhardiman: "What is happening now is that Golkar is under massive threat of destabilisation – Akbar is only an intermediate object, the ultimate goal is the party's disbandment."

Added political analyst Affan Gafar: "Golkar needs to cut its links with Akbar to isolate the scandal so that the outcome of the investigation will not affect the party." Failure to do so might lead to the exclusion of the party from participating in the 2004 election if Mr Akbar is proven to have channelled the misappropriated money to Golkar, he added.

Some senior Golkar figures have already started a movement to unseat Mr Akbar. Last week, they set up an advisory team called the "Golkar Rescue Team". The move caused a stir among the party leadership – largely comprised of Akbar loyalists – and revealed the worsening split within the party.

The advisory team's chief, Mr Cosmas Batubara, said: "In the name of its 25 million voters, Golkar needs to be rescued." The team wants to push for a special party congress to elect a new leader. Holding such a meeting will require the support of two-thirds of its provincial leadership.

Mr Akbar, who still has the support of the party's central executive board, has stressed the executive board need not comply with the advisory team's recommendation. But Mr Affan said: "Akbar may not be able to hold on to his oligarchic power in Golkar for long. He has disappointed and alienated other factions in the party since he came to power in 1998."

These factions include members from eastern Indonesia, former military generals and New Order bureaucrats as well as reform- minded politicians.

But some political observers think Mr Akbar's exit from Golkar may fuel further clashes among rival factions vying for the leadership post ahead of the 2004 general election. The biweekly Van Zorge magazine reported: "Such a development risks throwing the entire political arena into turmoil, with the other major parties trying to exploit Golkar's split into at least two, but possibly more, factions."

Scandals

Top Golkar members named as suspects in graft scandals:

• Akbar Tandjung, Golkar chairman – Allegedly misused 40 billion rupiah (S$7 million).
• Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Golkar deputy chairman – Allegedly abused his power as Mines and Energy Minister in a mining deal in early 1990s.
• Abdul Gafur, Golkar deputy chairman – Being investigated in a case of money politics.
• Nurdin Halid, Golkar legislator – A suspect in a corruption case involving funds from the Indonesia Distribution Cooperative.

Factions

• The Islamic Students Association (HMI) connection – Led by businessman Fahmi Idris, the Akbar loyalists have occupied strategic posts in the party since Mr Akbar Tandjung was appointed chairman in 1998.
• The "Iramasuka" – A coalition of members from eastern Indonesian provinces, the Iramasuka connection makes up the largest component of Golkar. It has publicly revealed its disappointment in Mr Akbar's leadership.
• The New Order stalwarts – A collection of familiar names from the New Order era like former minister Ginandjar Kartasasmita. It has kept a low profile, but now wants to seize back control from Mr Akbar.
• The "White Golkar" group – Made up of younger politicians determined to clean up Golkar's image, the faction – often associated with former Attorney-General Marzuki Darusman – linked up with Mr Akbar to foil Dr B.J. Habibie's presidential ambitions.
• The Golkar offshoot – Made up of experienced politicians like former minister Agung Laksonom, it may withdraw support for Mr Akbar at the last minute, but could also swing in his favour.