Alliance for change
Alliance for change
The emergence of a new political alliance, albeit
unofficially, between supporters of the ousted Indonesian
Democratic Party (PDI) chief Megawati Soekarnoputri and the
United Development Party (PPP) is probably about the only
surprise anyone can expect from this year's general election. It
defies the predictability of an election system that was designed
in such a way as to make major surprises unlikely. Not
surprisingly, therefore, when PPP supporters appeared last week
at the party's various campaign meetings in T-shirts bearing
Megawati's picture, many people became hot under the collars.
The PPP leadership in Jakarta appears to be uncomfortable to
have been associated with Megawati, yet they know that they will
benefit from this partnership come polling day on May 29. In
contrast, some PPP leaders in the regions, who will have to get
the votes, are more receptive, and are encouraging Megawati
supporters to join their election campaigns.
Government officials have tried to play down the significance
of the new alliance, while the government-backed PDI board under
chairman Soerjadi, which has been struggling to put together an
effective campaign, has dismissed it completely.
Yet those who are concerned about what Megawati's supporters
-- it is clear now that their number is quite significant -- have
been up to, found this alliance as something of a relief. As
Megawati is barred from taking part in the election, there have
been concerns about what her supporters might do during the
election, or in the current campaign period. Their alliance with
PPP indicates that whatever cause they are fighting for, they are
doing it within the system. The alternative is unimaginable.
This alliance is something that many people had previously
thought impossible, given the divergence in political outlooks
and historical backgrounds of the two minority parties. The PPP
and PDI are simply two unlikely partners. In political outlook,
PDI is closer to Golkar than to PPP. If Megawati's supporters are
now opting for PPP, this is a phenomenon that should be studied.
The formation of the new alliance is sending many signals.
For one, it is now clear is that Megawati remains an important
factor on the political scene, even as she is being barred from
the election. She still commands a strong influence within PDI,
and judging by the alliance with PPP, her reach is expanding
beyond her traditional supporters. Rather than being banished, as
her ouster from the PDI chairmanship last June was intended,
Megawati's stature has been growing so much so that she is an
even bigger political figure now than she was 11 months ago.
But the strongest message that the new alliance is sending is
that the demand for political reforms in this country is growing.
Political reform is the cause that, in the eyes of her
supporters, Megawati has represented, and this is now the cause
that the PPP has picked up. At least, that is what its election
campaign messages say. It is not surprising therefore that many
of Megawati's supporters in PDI feel that they could identify
with PPP, in spite of differences in political outlooks.
The new alliance will not likely dent Golkar's election
chances, but the message it has sent -- that there is a growing
undercurrent of demand for political reforms -- cannot simply be
dismissed. It would be wrong to interpret from the election
returns -- whether Golkar wins by 70.02 percent as targeted, or
by any other margin -- that the majority of Indonesians do not
want political reforms. The force for change will remain, and
judging by the trend of the past year, it is likely to grow.
Trying to crush it will be a futile exercise. The best course for
Golkar and the government is to make some accommodations.