Axis force mulls coalition with Golkar Party

JAKARTA (JP): The alliance of the Muslim-based parties widely known as the "axis force" opens up the possibility of a coalition with the Golkar Party, said an axis force figure Hamzah Haz.

Speaking on the sidelines of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) session on Sunday, Hamzah said efforts should be made to promote common interests between the two political groupings.

"I think the new Golkar, which claims to have reformist ideals, should think of establishing a coalition with the axis force," said Hamzah, who chairs the United Development Party (PPP).

He was commenting on reports that Golkar had hinted its approval to support PPP's nominee for the MPR chairmanship.

The axis force groups together eight parties which claim to represent Muslim interests and the National Mandate Party (PAN). They have 125 House of Representative seats which will enable them to play a decisive role, particularly in the race for the presidency.

The force suggested last week that Golkar's presidential candidate incumbent, B.J. Habibie, give up his candidacy for the good of the nation. Responding to the call, Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung said his party would take it into account.

Golkar deputy chairman Slamet Effendy Yusuf would not confirm the party's acceptance of the axis force's coalition offer, but said, "We are seeking to cooperate with any party, not only with the axis force."

Slamet said Golkar had intensively lobbied all parties since the MPR General Session started on Friday.

He said the vote on the composition of MPR factions on Saturday, which saw Golkar and the axis force team up to win by 379 votes, was a result of lobbying between Golkar and other parties.

"It tuned out that our efforts bore fruit last night. It's not easy to harmonize different views, you know," Slamet said.

He denied that Golkar legislators had been asked to vote for the axis forces' MPR chairman candidate, but indicated that Golkar would not go all out for the MPR chairmanship.

"We propose our candidate for the MPR leadership," he said.

The MPR leadership will consist of a chairman and seven deputies.

When asked if the lobbies would continue to win Golkar's bid for presidency, Slamet said it would much depend on how the situation developed.

Another axis force figure, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, who also chairs the Crescent Star Party, said the alliance had become so strong that other political groupings should take it into consideration.

"The axis force has emerged as a result of political skills to combine different parties to reach a common goal. It will become a crucial group," he said.

Gus Dur

Separately, PAN chairman Amien Rais denied that the axis force had dropped its nomination of Muslim leader Abdurrahman Wahid, who is also the founder of National Awakening Party (PKB), for presidency.

"Instead, we are considering how to lure 51 PKB members to join us. If this happens, our strength will become even greater," Amien said.

He said he expected that the PKB will break its partnership with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan). PKB has announced it would support the presidential bid of PDI Perjuangan chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri.

"The Axis force will be in trouble if PKB maintains its nomination of Megawati. We will become a bemo (three-wheeled taxi), instead of a sedan, if PKB insists on supporting Megawati," Amien said.

Amien said he had invited PKB top brass for a talk on a possible coalition with the axis force.

He expressed his optimism that the axis force would emerge the winner in the race for presidency, barring any foul play.

"As a newcomer, I can sense the foul play but cannot see it. I think I have to learn about how to deal with it as quickly as possible," he said.

Meanwhile, Abdurrahman, widely known as Gus Dur, told reporters after attending an internal meeting held by the interest group faction that he hadn't asked any party to nominate him for presidency.

"My candidacy is not my business, because I have never intend to seek any position," the chairman of the country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama said as quoted by Antara. (emf/amd)