Interests, not platforms behind coalitions: Experts<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Having seen the current pre-election political maneuverings in
\nthe country, nobody would argue the classic adage in politics
\n\"There are no perpetual enemies, only interests\".<\/p>\n
Political experts attending a discussion at the House of
\nRepresentatives on Friday agreed any coalitions among political
\nparties would be built more on short-term political interests
\nthan on the similarity of their political platforms.<\/p>\n
\"If this phenomenon goes uncontrolled, it will create
\ncollusive relations among all the parties involved,\" Indria
\nSamego, of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, warned.<\/p>\n
Iberamsjah of the University of Indonesia said such coalitions
\nwould simply determine \"who gets what\", regardless of their
\nplatforms.<\/p>\n
Both said coalitions would not benefit the people because the
\npolitical elite would fight for the interests of their respective
\nparties, providing the public with a bad political example.<\/p>\n
Also speaking at the discussion were Ade Komaruddin from the
\nGolkar Party and Samuel Koto from the National Mandate Party
\n(PAN).<\/p>\n
Golkar leader Akbar Tandjung recently sparked speculation
\nabout a possible coalition with the Indonesian Democratic Party
\nof Struggle (PDI-P). He was willing to become President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri's deputy president, he said.<\/p>\n
A coalition is possible because it is likely no candidate will
\nwin a majority of votes in the first round of presidential
\nelections in July.<\/p>\n
Presidential candidate and PDI-P leader Megawati has not
\nresponded to the offer. However, she made it clear that she would
\nlike to win the coveted post in the first-round of the
\npresidential elections on July 5. A party or group of parties
\nneed to win the majority vote to settle the issue.<\/p>\n
PDI-P and Golkar finished first and second respectively in the
\n1999 election. In the past, to many the PDI-P represented the
\noppressed while Golkar, the party of the New Order regime, the
\noppressors.<\/p>\n
Despite Akbar's readiness to become Megawati's running mate,
\nAde Komaruddin said the PDI-P was not the only choice for a
\ncoalition.<\/p>\n
\"We are still learning about the platforms of other parties.
\nCoalitions will depend on the result of the general elections,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Ade, however, said his party hoped a coalition would consist
\nof no more than three parties to make the decision-making process
\nin the House more effective.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the possible PDI-P\/Golkar coalition, Samego and
\nIberamsjah expressed doubt it would bring about changes to the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot expect reform from a PDIP-Golkar coalition because
\nboth parties will only put the old guys back in power,\"
\nIberamsjah said.<\/p>\n
He doubted a coalition between PDI-P and Golkar would dominate
\nin the House, saying the likely birth of breakaway parties would
\nreduce their votes.<\/p>\n
Samego disagreed and said the PDI-P\/Golkar coalition would be
\nan irresistible force in the House.<\/p>\n
Both Megawati and Akbar's high public profiles, as incumbent
\nPresident and House Speaker, would help their parties win most of
\nthe votes in the election, he said.<\/p>",
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