CHRISTMAS arrives faster for Golkar supporters, who have never waited long for gifts. It was two years ago that the general chairman of the party, Akbar Tandjung, ushered in the party's newest round of `Santa-Claus' tactics. Sporting neither a thick white beard nor a red cap, Akbar nonetheless visited the regions as Santa Claus, appearing to great applause and cheering.

On Sunday two weeks ago, Akbar made a stop in Surabaya. Approximately 1