Four parties support Mega
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
Leaders of four political parties threw their support behind presidential candidate Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday, but doubts lingered that the move would improve her chances in the September runoff.
The Golkar Party, Muslim-based United Development Party (PPP), Christian-based Prosperous Peace Party (PDS) and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) also agreed to form a loose coalition in the House of Representatives (DPR) until 2009.
"We shall prove that our constituents share our opinions and the grass roots are rallying behind us," said PPP chairman Hamzah Haz, who is also the incumbent vice president.
"If we lose (the election), we shall form the opposition in the House," Hamzah said. The four parties have 307 seats combined in the 550-member House.
Also present at the declaration ceremony were Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB) chairman R. Hartono, Marhaenisme Indonesian National Party (PNI Marhaenisme) chairwoman Sukmawati Soekarnoputri and Reform Start Party (PBR) chairman Zainuddin MZ.
Megawati, who is seeking a full five-year term in the Sept. 20 election, has trailed behind her former coordinating minister for political and security affairs, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, in virtually all opinion polls.
The loose coalition, which hopes to boost Megawati's chances, will be led by Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung, who was defeated by Gen. (ret) Wiranto in his party's presidential convention in May.
Akbar said the four parties would continue as separate factions in the House, but would share views before making strategic decisions.
"This would apply to our branches across the country, in their respective councils and local administrations," he said.
Akbar added that leaders of the four parties would soon tour the country to disseminate information about the coalition to local party leaders and their constituents.
Megawati expressed optimism that the move would help her secure the presidential post in the Sept. 20 election.
"God willing, victory will be ours," she said.
However, experts doubted the move would help Megawati in the upcoming election.
Political analyst Arbi Sanit from the University of Indonesia said that the coalition would improve the incumbent's chances only if the parties were able to maximize the effectiveness of their political machinery.
Golkar, former president Soeharto's political machine for more than three decades, undoubtedly has the largest and well- maintained party organization down to village level, which helped the party to win the April 5 legislative election.
Sukardi Rinakit of Soegeng Sarjadi Syndicate said the grouping did not guarantee that the bulk of voters would choose Megawati in the runoff.
"The coalition does not guarantee that they will win the election -- it is the popular vote that counts," said Sukardi, adding that winning the runoff depended on the candidates' popularity and credibility with the electorate.
Commenting on coalition-building, Susilo said the move could endanger people's freedom to exercise their political preference in the runoff.
"I'm not saying that building a coalition with other parties is unnecessary; my point is that people should be free from any intervention when they cast their votes," Susilo said at his residence in Cikeas, Bogor.
COALITION'S POINTS OF COOPERATION ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Ensuring victory for the Megawati Soekarnoputri-Hasyim
Muzadi pair in the upcoming presidential election. 2. Establishing a strong, clean and effective government based on
professionalism and collectivity. 3. Improving the effectiveness and role of legislative bodies
in fighting for people's aspirations. 4. Improving partnership between the executive and legislative
bodies across the country. 5. Improving the role of political parties within a more
democratic atmosphere.