Factions propose stable coalition of parties
Factions propose stable coalition of parties
BANDUNG (JP): Five major factions at the House of
Representatives (DPR) have proposed the establishment of a
permanent coalition between political parties to support the
government in a bid to avoid further political turmoil in the
country.
"A permanent coalition is an idea being discussed among
chairpersons of House factions. We need to form a coalition
because the government needs sufficient political support to
maintain its tenure," chairman of Golkar Party Faction Syamsul
Muarif said while addressing a seminar on control mechanisms for
government, held at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).
Syamsul said such a coalition would be a strategic move to
solve the current political crisis as it would unite different
aspirations on national leadership among the political parties.
"What we are saying is that if either Gus Dur or mbak Mega
wants to survive, they have to establish such a permanent
coalition," Syamsul later told The Jakarta Post, while referring
to President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President Megawati
Soekarnoputri by their nicknames.
Faction chairman from the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Arifin Panigoro; Alimarwan Hanan of the
United Development Party (PPP); Reform faction's Hatta Radjasa;
and Crescent Star Party (PBB) faction's Ahmad Sumargono also
addressed the seminar.
Syamsul underlined that the coalition should share the same
platform and, if necessary, be established with a written
agreement to empower the coalition.
"We have learned over the past two years that it is impossible
to have a strong and legitimate government without strong
political support," he remarked.
Political turmoil began after the House issued a memorandum on
Feb. 1 censuring President Abdurrahman over two financial
scandals. The memorandum could lead to a special session of the
Assembly which may bring the incumbent President down.
Many have considered the memorandum to be a sign that the
President has lost the House's support for the completion of his
tenure in 2004.
"However, it is up to the national leaders to establish the
coalition and to determine which parties should join the
alliance. As for Golkar, we are ready to be part of the coalition
or opposition to the government," Syamsul added.
He, however, underlined that the coalition was still an idea
and there has yet to be any formal agreement on it.
Hatta Radjasa of the Reform faction said the permanent
coalition idea has been discussed several times among the
factions and it could be seen as way to speed up reform in the
country.
Alimarwan Hanan, however, anticipated further political
instability if Abdurrahman failed to survive until the end of his
tenure in 2004.
Meanwhile, Arifin Panigoro considered the coalition as sound
proof of political support for Megawati, who is also the
chairperson of PDI Perjuangan. (25/dja)