Sukarno Reduces Political Parties

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30442, 16 May 1964, Page 13

Sukarno Reduces Political Parties

(N Z P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

DJAKARTA, May 15. President Sukarno is planning to simplify Indonesia’s political parties.

Antara news agency reported that yesterday he discussed simplification of political parties with leaders of the influential Murba (Proletariat) Party.

A spokesman for the party, Mr Sukarni Kartodiwirjo (former Ambassador to Peking), told Antara later that his party agreed with simplification because “a political party should form a tool of the revolution.” He said the Murba Party did not object if Indonesia’s 10 political parties were re-

duced or merged to one party. Previously, President Sukarno planned to reduce the number of parties from 10 to three, representing nationalist, religious and Communist groups. President Sukarno has disbanded the biggest Moslem party, Masjumi, and the Socialist Party because many of their leaders took part in the Sumatra rebellion in 1958. The Attorney-General, Dr Kadarusman, said in Macassar. South Celebes, yesterday that many members of the disbanded political parties were now trying to create chaos in social, economic and political fields. He said “crossboys (the Indonesian equivalent of bodgies) could also be used by subversive elements and therefore all attorneys in Indonesia should be constantly alert.