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The Golkar Party said on Friday that it was not concerned about a newly registered political party that has reportedly secured the backing of Hutomo “Tommy” Mandala Putra, the youngest son of former president and Golkar founder Suharto.

Golkar chairman Aburizal Bakrie said Golkar would not worry about the National Republic Party (Nasrep) or any other new party.

“We have experience of Golkar Party members jumping ship and forming new parties. Or people associated with Golkar forming new parties,” Aburizal said. “We have layers upon layers of members. If a Golkar member leaves, the person will be replaced.”

Aburizal provided examples of several prominent Golkar politicians who had gone on to different parties: retired Gen. Wiranto, who founded the People’s Conscience Party (Hanura); Prabowo Subianto, who founded the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra); and Tjahjo Kumolo, who is now an official with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

“Nothing to worry about,” he said. “Golkar is the cradle where [politicians] and national leaders hone their skills.”

Nasrep’s recent inaugural meeting was dominated by pictures of a sunglasses-wearing Tommy. Tommy made a failed bid for the chairmanship of Golkar in 2009.