Golkar eyes long-term benefits with PDI-P
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.