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.