Golkar eyes long-term benefits with PDI-P
M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
The Golkar Party is set to form a coalition with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) to support Megawati Soekarnoputri's bid for presidency, as it would serve the party's long-term interests, a Golkar official said.
Golkar deputy secretary-general Bomer Pasaribu said on Saturday that supporting the incumbent president, Megawati, would provide the party with a springboard to help it regain political control.
"Supporting Megawati would pave the way for us to regain control over the presidency in the next general election, as Megawati, if elected, would constitutionally be barred from running again," Bomer told The Jakarta Post.
Megawati replaced her boss Abdurrahman Wahid as the president in 2001 after the latter was dismissed by the People's Consultative Assembly.
Bomer said reigning over the legislature would be much easier, as the party was in control now.
He said backing the Democratic Party's presidential candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would deprive the party of a quick rise to power, because if Susilo won the Sept. 20 runoff, he would likely seek a second term in 2009.
The amended Constitution limits the presidency to two five- year terms for a single candidate.
Bomer also said a coalition with the PDI-P would be of great advantage for Golkar to control local councils.
"In most of the country's provinces and regents, Golkar came first and the PDI-P second in the legislative election. Therefore, we have to work together to secure the leadership for local legislatures.
"The plan will not work if we endorse Susilo, whose political party gained a minority in regional legislatures," he said.
Bomer was speaking on the eve of Golkar's executive meeting, during which the central board is expected to decide which presidential candidate to support in the upcoming runoff.
Susilo and Megawati qualified for a showdown after finishing first and second, respectively, in the July 5 election, when Golkar's candidate Wiranto was eliminated.
Golkar leader Akbar Tandjung earlier gave a green light to a coalition with Megawati, despite resistance from several central board members.
Golkar executives Fahmi Idris and Marzuki Darusman, along with 21 of the party's 32 provincial leaders, met last week with Susilo's running mate Jusuf Kalla to discuss a possible coalition with the Democratic Party.
When asked whether the opposition members could sway provincial leaders' support in favor of Susilo, Bomer said: "I received information that, before departing for Jakarta for Sunday's meeting, provincial chapter leaders had decided on their stance, and most of them preferred Megawati over Susilo."
Contacted separately, Fahmi said Megawati did not deserve Golkar's support, as she had made no significant achievement during her three-year stint.
"Golkar should support Susilo, as he represents reform. Endorsement for him will be consistent with party policy to bring about change through the legislative and presidential elections," he told the Post.
He said grassroot Golkar supporters favored Susilo, as indicated by overwhelming support from provincial leaders for the candidate.
"The central board should have heeded their aspirations," Fahmi said.
He added if Sunday's leadership meeting decided otherwise, he would respect the decision as a party member.