Interests, not platforms behind coalitions: Experts

Interests, not platforms behind coalitions: Experts

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Having seen the current pre-election political maneuverings in
the country, nobody would argue the classic adage in politics
"There are no perpetual enemies, only interests".

Political experts attending a discussion at the House of
Representatives on Friday agreed any coalitions among political
parties would be built more on short-term political interests
than on the similarity of their political platforms.

"If this phenomenon goes uncontrolled, it will create
collusive relations among all the parties involved," Indria
Samego, of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, warned.

Iberamsjah of the University of Indonesia said such coalitions
would simply determine "who gets what", regardless of their
platforms.

Both said coalitions would not benefit the people because the
political elite would fight for the interests of their respective
parties, providing the public with a bad political example.

Also speaking at the discussion were Ade Komaruddin from the
Golkar Party and Samuel Koto from the National Mandate Party
(PAN).

Golkar leader Akbar Tandjung recently sparked speculation
about a possible coalition with the Indonesian Democratic Party
of Struggle (PDI-P). He was willing to become President Megawati
Soekarnoputri's deputy president, he said.

A coalition is possible because it is likely no candidate will
win a majority of votes in the first round of presidential
elections in July.

Presidential candidate and PDI-P leader Megawati has not
responded to the offer. However, she made it clear that she would
like to win the coveted post in the first-round of the
presidential elections on July 5. A party or group of parties
need to win the majority vote to settle the issue.

PDI-P and Golkar finished first and second respectively in the
1999 election. In the past, to many the PDI-P represented the
oppressed while Golkar, the party of the New Order regime, the
oppressors.

Despite Akbar's readiness to become Megawati's running mate,
Ade Komaruddin said the PDI-P was not the only choice for a
coalition.

"We are still learning about the platforms of other parties.
Coalitions will depend on the result of the general elections,"
he said.

Ade, however, said his party hoped a coalition would consist
of no more than three parties to make the decision-making process
in the House more effective.

Commenting on the possible PDI-P/Golkar coalition, Samego and
Iberamsjah expressed doubt it would bring about changes to the
country.

"We cannot expect reform from a PDIP-Golkar coalition because
both parties will only put the old guys back in power,"
Iberamsjah said.

He doubted a coalition between PDI-P and Golkar would dominate
in the House, saying the likely birth of breakaway parties would
reduce their votes.

Samego disagreed and said the PDI-P/Golkar coalition would be
an irresistible force in the House.

Both Megawati and Akbar's high public profiles, as incumbent
President and House Speaker, would help their parties win most of
the votes in the election, he said.