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)