Alliance for change<\/p>\n
The emergence of a new political alliance, albeit
\nunofficially, between supporters of the ousted Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party (PDI) chief Megawati Soekarnoputri and the
\nUnited Development Party (PPP) is probably about the only
\nsurprise anyone can expect from this year's general election. It
\ndefies the predictability of an election system that was designed
\nin such a way as to make major surprises unlikely. Not
\nsurprisingly, therefore, when PPP supporters appeared last week
\nat the party's various campaign meetings in T-shirts bearing
\nMegawati's picture, many people became hot under the collars.<\/p>\n
The PPP leadership in Jakarta appears to be uncomfortable to
\nhave been associated with Megawati, yet they know that they will
\nbenefit from this partnership come polling day on May 29. In
\ncontrast, some PPP leaders in the regions, who will have to get
\nthe votes, are more receptive, and are encouraging Megawati
\nsupporters to join their election campaigns.<\/p>\n
Government officials have tried to play down the significance
\nof the new alliance, while the government-backed PDI board under
\nchairman Soerjadi, which has been struggling to put together an
\neffective campaign, has dismissed it completely.<\/p>\n
Yet those who are concerned about what Megawati's supporters
\n-- it is clear now that their number is quite significant -- have
\nbeen up to, found this alliance as something of a relief. As
\nMegawati is barred from taking part in the election, there have
\nbeen concerns about what her supporters might do during the
\nelection, or in the current campaign period. Their alliance with
\nPPP indicates that whatever cause they are fighting for, they are
\ndoing it within the system. The alternative is unimaginable.<\/p>\n
This alliance is something that many people had previously
\nthought impossible, given the divergence in political outlooks
\nand historical backgrounds of the two minority parties. The PPP
\nand PDI are simply two unlikely partners. In political outlook,
\nPDI is closer to Golkar than to PPP. If Megawati's supporters are
\nnow opting for PPP, this is a phenomenon that should be studied.
\nThe formation of the new alliance is sending many signals.<\/p>\n
For one, it is now clear is that Megawati remains an important
\nfactor on the political scene, even as she is being barred from
\nthe election. She still commands a strong influence within PDI,
\nand judging by the alliance with PPP, her reach is expanding
\nbeyond her traditional supporters. Rather than being banished, as
\nher ouster from the PDI chairmanship last June was intended,
\nMegawati's stature has been growing so much so that she is an
\neven bigger political figure now than she was 11 months ago.<\/p>\n
But the strongest message that the new alliance is sending is
\nthat the demand for political reforms in this country is growing.
\nPolitical reform is the cause that, in the eyes of her
\nsupporters, Megawati has represented, and this is now the cause
\nthat the PPP has picked up. At least, that is what its election
\ncampaign messages say. It is not surprising therefore that many
\nof Megawati's supporters in PDI feel that they could identify
\nwith PPP, in spite of differences in political outlooks.<\/p>\n
The new alliance will not likely dent Golkar's election
\nchances, but the message it has sent -- that there is a growing
\nundercurrent of demand for political reforms -- cannot simply be
\ndismissed. It would be wrong to interpret from the election
\nreturns -- whether Golkar wins by 70.02 percent as targeted, or
\nby any other margin -- that the majority of Indonesians do not
\nwant political reforms. The force for change will remain, and
\njudging by the trend of the past year, it is likely to grow.
\nTrying to crush it will be a futile exercise. The best course for
\nGolkar and the government is to make some accommodations.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/alliance-for-change-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}