Golkar seeks coalition with PDI-P in a surprise move

JAKARTA (JP): After being rejected by the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the National Awakening Party (PKB), Golkar Party, running third in the provisional vote count, is looking at the possibility of forming a coalition with the front-running Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

Golkar chief treasurer and noted businessman Fadel Muhammad said on Thursday it would be ideal if PDI Perjuangan coalesced with Golkar and established a new government to lead the country for the next five years.

"If PDI Perjuangan coalesced with Golkar, it would be more than enough to establish a new government," he said at Golkar's Jakarta headquarters.

He said Golkar proposed the idea of a coalition with PDI Perjuangan after it completed its internal vote count on Thursday.

Golkar's count had PDI Perjuangan winning the elections with 32.25 percent of the vote, with Golkar in second with 27.06 percent. Golkar projects it will get 124 of the 462 seats in the House of Representatives, while PDI Perjuangan will receive 151 seats.

Fadel also said preliminary poll results indicated the majority of Indonesians placed their trust in nationalist- oriented parties rather than religious-oriented ones.

"The fact that both Golkar and PDI Perjuangan are nationalist- oriented parties is favorable for the establishment of a coalition."

"We all know there is nothing impossible in politics," he said when asked about the possibility of PDI Perjuangan agreeing to the coalition.

PDI Perjuangan has not made a decision on possible coalition partners. Party chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri has repeatedly said she would only agree to discuss a coalition after the final vote tally was announced.

National Mandate Party chairman Amien Rais has rejected the possibility of forming a coalition with Golkar, and National Awakening Party deputy chairman Alwi Shihab said on Tuesday PKB would only be willing to form a coalition with PDI Perjuangan and PAN.

Fadel said Golkar was making efforts to approach other parties about possible coalitions.

"Although a coalition with PDI Perjuangan would be ideal, we can also coalesce with PKB, PAN, the United Development Party (PPP), other Muslim-oriented parties and even the Justice and Unity Party (PKP) to set up a new government," he said, adding that it was the prerogative of Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung to negotiate with party leaders about possible coalitions.

The Justice and Unity Party was established by several ex- Golkar executives.

If Golkar and PDI Perjuangan fail to decide on a presidential candidate, Fadel said Golkar would let the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) decide the matter.

Golkar has named incumbent President B.J. Habibie its presidential candidate, while PDI Perjuangan named Megawati its presidential candidate.

Fadel said Golkar had not drawn up a strategy for the presidential election, which will take place during the General Session of the MPR in November.

"Chairman Akbar Tandjung will hold a party leadership meeting to establish an election victory team. After the team is established, we'll then talk about scenarios," he said.

Fadel said if a deadlock occurred during the presidential election, he personally would prefer presidential candidates from parties which contested the general election.

Analysts have spoken of an "extra electoral process" in the presidential election, meaning an alternative candidate from outside the political parties could gain the presidency if the MPR becomes deadlocked.

Fadel said Golkar would prefer to have presidential candidates nominated by factions in the MPR, but the presidential election could also proceed on the basis of one person one vote.(imn)