PDI-P, Golkar coalition opposed

JAKARTA: Activists grouped in the Committee for New Order Alert (KWOB) and the Petisi 50 critics group have urged the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) to avoid a coalition with Golkar, the New Order's political vehicle.

Judilherry Justam of KWOB and Chris Siner Key Timu of Petisi 50 said on Thursday that Golkar was too stained to be a partner.

The activists met with leaders of the PDI Perjuangan faction, including Roy B.B. Janis, Firman Jaya Daeli, Permadi, Emir Moeis and Teras Narang.

During the hearing, the activists unfurled a banner, which read: "Golkar stands for Gerombolan Orang Lapar Kekuasaan Anti Rakyat (Gang of power-oriented and anti-people figures)".

Roy said, however, that a coalition with other parties would be unavoidable because PDI Perjuangan only won 35 percent of the vote in the 1999 election. --JP