PBR backs Mega, Susilo wooes PPP<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Megawati Soekarnoputri's reelection bid received another boost on
\nMonday after the Muslim-based Reform Star Party (PBR) decided to
\nsupport her in the Sept. 20 election runoff.<\/p>\n
PBR chairman Zaenuddin MZ said in a press conference on Monday
\nthat the party had undertaken a series of discussions before
\ndeciding to throw its weight behind Megawati.<\/p>\n
He also dismissed suggestions that her Indonesian Democratic
\nParty of Struggle (PDI-P) had offered Cabinet positions in
\nexchange for its support.<\/p>\n
\"We have reasons to give the support, but so far we have yet
\nto discuss possible positions in the Cabinet should Megawati
\nwin,\" Zaenuddin said.<\/p>\n
He underlined that a key reason for the party's backing
\nMegawati was to ensure civilian supremacy and prevent the return
\nof militarism in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
On Aug. 19, three parties -- the Golkar Party, the PPP and the
\nChristian-based Prosperous Peace Party (PDS) -- declared their
\nsupport for Megawati.<\/p>\n
With the PBR, the parties agreed to form a four-way coalition
\nin the House of Representatives and regional legislatures until
\n2009.<\/p>\n
Megawati held a lunch meeting on Monday with eliminated
\npresidential candidate Gen. (ret) Wiranto of the Golkar Party at
\na hotel in South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Speaking to the press after the meeting, Wiranto said he had
\nan obligation to the 26 million people who had voted for him on
\nJuly 5 in choosing a candidate to back in the run-off.<\/p>\n
\"I will make a decision next week,\" he said, adding that he
\nhad also met with Susilo.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Megawati's rival Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono wooed on
\nMonday senior members of the Muslim-based United Development
\nParty (PPP), which had previously pledged its support to Megawati
\nand running mate Hasyim Muzadi.<\/p>\n
Susilo met with PPP senior executive Buya Hasan Ismail
\nMutareum, who expressed support for Susilo's bid.<\/p>\n
The meeting irked some PPP executives, who said Buya, a former
\nPPP chairman, should not break the pledge to support Megawati.<\/p>\n
Susilo also held a teleconference with around 3,500 new
\nstudents of state-financed Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB)
\nin West Java, and answered questions from two ITB freshmen.<\/p>\n
ITB rector Kusmayanto denied that the teleconference was a
\ncampaign forum for Susilo, and said he had tried to ask Megawati
\nto join the teleconference, but the Presidential Palace did not
\nrespond.<\/p>\n
To cement its commitment to Megawati, Golkar leader Akbar
\nTandjung went on series of trips across Java, instructing the
\nparty's regional branches to support the Megawati-Hasyim pair.<\/p>\n
Speaking to regional party heads in Surakarta, Central Java,
\nAkbar said the coalition would bring benefits for Golkar in the
\n2009 election, and that the party would play a major role in the
\nnext five years.<\/p>\n
\"Megawati, together with us, will establish the next
\ngovernment,\" Akbar said.<\/p>\n
He further said Susilo had shown antipathy to Golkar and
\ntrusted all members would obey the party's instruction to support
\nMegawati.<\/p>\n
Separately, Hasyim Muzadi held a meeting with the business
\ncommunity in Batam, Riau.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pbr-backs-mega-susilo-wooes-ppp-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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