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.