Talks stall on coalition of three big parties<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Talks on a possible coalition between three
\nreformist parties hit a stumbling block on Monday after the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) secretly
\ninvolved nationalist parties, a credible source said.<\/p>\n
The other two parties -- the National Mandate Party (PAN) and
\nthe National Awakening Party (PKB) -- were enraged because they
\nwere not consulted on the move, a source at PAN said on Monday.<\/p>\n
He said that PDI Perjuangan negotiator Theo Syafei held
\nseparate covert meetings to discuss a stembus akoord (vote-
\nsharing deal) with five to 10 small nationalist-secular parties.<\/p>\n
\"PDI Perjuangan's move is a political setback. It will sharpen
\ndifferences between the Muslim and Nationalist-secular camps, a
\npolitical phenomenon some 30 years to 40 years ago,\" the source
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He said PAN and PKB were against PDI Perjuangan's move because
\nthey wished to maintain their independence.<\/p>\n
\"PAN and PKB are not Muslim-oriented parties. But we are not
\nnationalist-secular parties, either,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The source said PDI Perjuangan chief Megawati Soekarnoputri
\nwas opposed to Theo's maneuver and that PKB and PAN
\nrepresentatives would meet her later on Monday.<\/p>\n
He said the reformist party considered pulling the Justice and
\nUnity Party (PKP) into the vote-sharing deal.<\/p>\n
Extended<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, chairman of the General Elections Commission (KPU)
\nRudini announced on Monday that the deadline for the submission
\nof any vote-sharing deals between 48 political parties contesting
\nthe June 7 elections was extended to June 4, the last day of
\ncampaigning. Earlier, the commission ruled the deadline as
\nMonday.<\/p>\n
\"The parties seem to be busy with their campaigning and
\nelection preparations. Therefore, KPU's plenary meeting decided
\nto give them more time,\" he said.<\/p>\n
KPU decree No. 88\/1999 stipulates the deal between political
\nparties must be announced seven days ahead of the election day.<\/p>\n
Eight Muslim parties have closed a deal to apportion extra
\nvotes among them. They are the Justice Party (PK), the Crescent
\nStar Party (PBB), the United Development Party (PPP), the Muslim
\nCommunity Awakening Party (PKU), the Nahdlatul Ummat Party (PNU),
\nthe Islamic Community Party (PUI), the Indonesian Masyumi Islamic
\nPolitical Party (PPIM) and the Indonesian Syarikat Islam Party -
\n1905 (PSII-1905).<\/p>\n
Another deal was forged between three Muslim-oriented parties
\n-- the New Indonesian Party (PIB), the Islamic Community Party
\n(PUI) and the Nahdlatul Umat Party (PNU) -- in Bengkulu on
\nSunday.<\/p>\n
\"The communique says if members of one of the three political
\nparties gain seats in the legislative assembly, the other two are
\nentitled to supervise, reprimand and even replace them with other
\nmembers if they cannot honor their campaign promises,\" PIB
\nspokesman Asep Firmansyah Putera said.<\/p>\n
Under the communique, he said, a political party which gains
\nextra votes will contribute the remaining votes to the other two
\nparties.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Nationalist Party (PNI), PNI Massa
\nMarhein, PNI Front Marhaenis and the Democratic Nationalist Party
\n(PND) will reportedly sign a similar deal soon.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan secretary-general Alexander Litaay vowed on
\nMonday that his party would never join forces with the three
\nparties of the New Order regime legacy -- PDI under the
\nleadership of Budi Hardjono, the United Development Party (PPP)
\nand Golkar Party.<\/p>\n
\"We're ready to coalesce with other parties, except with the
\nthree parties of the New Order administration which have
\ncontributed to the present crisis,\" Litaay told Antara in
\nJayapura, Irian Jaya. (edt\/imn)<\/p>",
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