Edo Karensa, Jakarta – The son of Indonesia's second president Suharto, Hutomo Mandala Putra, better known as Tommy Suharto, is among the politicians announced to lead the new Golkar Party structure under new chairman Setya Novanto, the party announced on Monday (30/05).
"The structure is named the Work Acceleration Structure, because we look forward to work, work and work in the future," Setya said at the Golkar headquarters in West Jakarta.
The party's structure accommodates the six former candidates for Golkar chair and was formed in the spirit of reconciliation in the wake of the party's factional war, he said. Setya confirmed women members will take on a larger role, making up 32 percent of the 200 included in the structure. He added the names were picked based on merit.
Former chairman Aburizal Bakrie will head the supervisory board along Theo L Sambuaga, former fisheries minister Sharif Cicip Soetardjo and House of Representatives speaker Ade Komarudin as deputies.
Tommy Suharto, Priyo Budi Santoso, Rully Hasrul Azwar, Hafiz Zawawi, Paskah Suzeta and Iris Indramukti will sit on the board with Fadel Muhammad as secretary. Tommy had earlier nominated to run for the chairmanship but pulled out after internal regulations found he was ineligible after serving over five years imprisonment.
Setya appointed former president B.J. Habibie as head of the honorary board, while former minister Akbar Tandjung and current Chief Security Minister Luhut Pandjaitan were named deputies.
Luhut, however, refused the position as President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has prohibited all cabinet members from holding strategic positions in political parties. "I think I don't deserve that position since I am still working for the government," Luhut told reporters at the State Palace.
Golkar's expert board will be led by Agung Laksono, helped by his four deputies Pontjo Sutowo, Hajriyanto Y Thohari, Siti Hediati Hariyadi and Mahyudin.
Setya also appointed his loyal supporters Nurdin Halid as party's managing chairman and Idrus Marham as secretary general. Lawmaker from Papua, Robert J Kardinal, was named the party's treasurer head.