Coalition to go all out to support Mega

Coalition to go all out to support Mega

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Leaders of the so-termed national coalition of four major parties
held their first plenary meeting on Friday, to consolidate their
rank and file and draw up a strategy to help the Megawati
Soekarnoputri-Hasyim Muzadi ticket win the runoff.

Hosted by the incumbent, President Megawati, at her official
residence, the meeting decided to intensify efforts to mobilize
support among constituents of the four parties and build the
image of Mega and Hasyim.

"We will counter the public perception that the pair doesn't
represent reform nor commits to corruption eradication," leader
of the coalition and of the Golkar Party Akbar Tandjung said.

He said all chapters and branches of the four parties would be
involved in the campaign.

"All members of the coalition will share the burden of
financing activities," Akbar said.

Golkar, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) --
of which Megawati is the leader -- the United Development Party
(PPP) and the Prosperous Peace Party (PDS) declared the coalition
on Aug. 19. Later, the Marhaenisme Indonesian National Party (PNI
Marhaenisme) and the Reform Star Party (PBR) joined forces.

Also attending the meeting were PPP leader Hamzah Haz, PDS
leader Ruyandi Hutasoit, PNI Marhaenisme leader Sukmawati
Soekarnoputri and top executives of the PBR.

Saying the results of the first-round set a precedent,
analysts have expressed doubt the coalition will influence people
in the grass roots. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his running mate
Jusuf Kalla garnered the highest number of votes on July 5,
despite the fact that they contested under the banner of the
Democratic Party, which received the fifth highest number of
votes in the general election.

Observers also say the coalition seeks to preserve the status
quo, and resists the reform spirit that put to an end three
decades of authoritarian rule in 1998.

"Those who boast of reform know nothing of change. Our
(presidential) candidate has made changes in her three-year
tenure as President, and it will continue should she be elected,"
said Akbar, whose party, Golkar, was the political machine of the
New Order.

He said the coalition would convince the public that under
Megawati the country would be politically stable and free of
corruption, and pluralism would be maintained.

Akbar has been touring Java to brief Golkar's branches. He is
slated to travel to Sumatra next week. In Lampung on Saturday,
the first stop in Sumatra, he will attend a mass gathering with
Hasyim.

Later in the day, Megawati held talks with National Mandate
Party (PAN) leader Amien Rais, before the latter led the party's
executive meeting to determine which candidate they will back.

Separately, Golkar secretary-general Budi Harsono said the
party had reprimanded eight executives who opposed the party's
policy of supporting Megawati and Hasyim. Budi refused to
identify them, but said: "They often appeared in the media
(supporting Susilo and Kalla)."

Golkar executives Priyo Budi Santoso and Idrus Markham
recently criticized the party's line ahead of the runoff.