17 July 2014
WP277 | Explaining the Trajectory of Golkar’s Splinters in Post-Suharto Indonesia
Abstract
During the New Order regime, Golkar (Golongan Karya) played a crucial role in garnering political support whilst upholding Suharto’s iron-clad reign. The abrupt fall of the Suharto regime however, ushered in a completely new political vista for the once hegemonic Golkar. Several “splinter-parties” have decided to break-away within the Golkar Party itself, re-emerging as new political vehicles due to various reasons. This paper revisits and analyses the emergence of three of Golkar’s splinters: the Hanura, Gerindra, and Nasdem parties. It examines how their background originating as haranguing factions and splinters within Golkar influences their political behaviour, in turn providing an analysis on the background of the establishment of these personality-led parties, the differences amongst the parties as well as their prospects within the sphere of Indonesian politics. This paper argues that the electoral performance of the three parties is sustained and highly dependent upon both the strong personalities and financial backing of their respective leaders.
About the Authors
Yuddy Chrisnandi is a lecturer at the Political Science Master Programme, National University, Jakarta, Indonesia, and a candidate for Professor of Political Science, National University. He has written several books: Reformasi TNI, Kesaksian Para Jenderal, Beyond Parlemen, Strategi Kebangsaan Satrio Piningit, and Post-Soeharto Civil-Military Relations in Indonesia. His research interests include civil-military relations, political parties, and public policy. Yuddy recently published an article with a research team from Universiti Malaysia Sabah titled The Politics of Pride, Prestige and Power in Contemporary Indonesia-Malaysia Relations. Yuddy has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Padjajaran University, Bandung, Indonesia, and a Master’s Degree in Economics from University of Indonesia, Depok. He also holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Indonesia, Depok.
Adhi Priamarizki is an Associate Research Fellow in the Indonesia Programme of the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University. His research interests include Indonesian politics, Indonesian military history, and civil-military relations in Southeast Asia. Adhi holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from Parahyangan Catholic University, Bandung, Indonesia, and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies fromRSIS.
Abstract
During the New Order regime, Golkar (Golongan Karya) played a crucial role in garnering political support whilst upholding Suharto’s iron-clad reign. The abrupt fall of the Suharto regime however, ushered in a completely new political vista for the once hegemonic Golkar. Several “splinter-parties” have decided to break-away within the Golkar Party itself, re-emerging as new political vehicles due to various reasons. This paper revisits and analyses the emergence of three of Golkar’s splinters: the Hanura, Gerindra, and Nasdem parties. It examines how their background originating as haranguing factions and splinters within Golkar influences their political behaviour, in turn providing an analysis on the background of the establishment of these personality-led parties, the differences amongst the parties as well as their prospects within the sphere of Indonesian politics. This paper argues that the electoral performance of the three parties is sustained and highly dependent upon both the strong personalities and financial backing of their respective leaders.
About the Authors
Yuddy Chrisnandi is a lecturer at the Political Science Master Programme, National University, Jakarta, Indonesia, and a candidate for Professor of Political Science, National University. He has written several books: Reformasi TNI, Kesaksian Para Jenderal, Beyond Parlemen, Strategi Kebangsaan Satrio Piningit, and Post-Soeharto Civil-Military Relations in Indonesia. His research interests include civil-military relations, political parties, and public policy. Yuddy recently published an article with a research team from Universiti Malaysia Sabah titled The Politics of Pride, Prestige and Power in Contemporary Indonesia-Malaysia Relations. Yuddy has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Padjajaran University, Bandung, Indonesia, and a Master’s Degree in Economics from University of Indonesia, Depok. He also holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Indonesia, Depok.
Adhi Priamarizki is an Associate Research Fellow in the Indonesia Programme of the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University. His research interests include Indonesian politics, Indonesian military history, and civil-military relations in Southeast Asia. Adhi holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from Parahyangan Catholic University, Bandung, Indonesia, and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies fromRSIS.
