Once a pillar of strength during the Suharto era, Golkar is these days losing its grip. The life-blood of the `Banyan tree party' is being sapped away by freeloaders and parasites from within, but they are difficult to pinpoint. These parasites are destroying Golkar's image as culprits in numerous embezzlement scandals.

A case implicating Rahardi Ramelan and Golkar Party Head Akbar Tandjung over misuse of funds from the State Logistics Agency (B