PDI-P, Golkar try to avert open war
PDI-P, Golkar try to avert open war
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Top brass from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan) and the Golkar Party have held informal talks to ease
the tension between them and build a better relationship in the
future.
Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung disclosed on Wednesday he had
hosted the meeting on Monday with PDI Perjuangan delegates who
were led by key figure Taufik Kiemas, the husband of President
Megawati Soekarnoputri, on Monday.
The senior party figures discussed their relations, which had
worsened following sporadic clashes involving supporters of the
two major parties in Bali on Oct. 25, which left two people dead.
"It was an amicable meeting aimed at preventing conflict in
the future. We also discussed the platforms of both parties,"
Akbar said before a breaking of the fast get-together at the
House of Representatives here.
The meeting took place at Akbar's official residence in the
Widya Chandra housing complex in South Jakarta, and lasted around
two hours.
Taufik was accompanied by PDI Perjuangan leaders Panda
Nababan, Pramono Anung Wibowo, Tjahjo Kumolo and Suparlan, while
Akbar was flanked by Golkar secretary-general Budi Harsono and
party executives Mahadi Sinambela, Agung Laksono, Slamet Effendi
Yusuf, Irsyad Sudiro, Mohammad Hatta, and Yahya Zaini.
Akbar acknowledged that Golkar and the PDI Perjuangan shared
nationalist-oriented platforms, but emphasized that both parties
often pursued different political interests.
"It is true that we have similar platforms. But, platforms and
political interests do not often coincide," he said.
PDI Perjuangan deputy secretary Pramono Anung Wibowo confirmed
that the meeting had taken place.
"Two only things that distinguish the PDI Perjuangan from
Golkar are their uniforms and history," Pramono told The Jakarta
Post last night.
The meeting of PDI Perjuangan and Golkar leaders came after
several leaders of Islamic-oriented parties held a series of
meetings to share ideas ahead of the elections.
Suryadharma Ali from the United Development Party (PPP),
Syaifullah Yusuf from the National Awakening Party (PKB), Amien
Rais and Patrialis Akbar from the National Mandate Party (PAN),
Ahmad Sumargono from the Crescent Star Party (PBB), and Hidayat
Nurwahid from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) attended a
meeting last week, which many saw as a move to build a coalition
to foil President Megawati Soekarnoputri's bid for her first full
five-year term in the 2004 presidential election.
Asked whether his meeting with Taufik Kiemas was designed to
create an alliance between the nationalist parties, Akbar said
the issue was not on the agenda.
"Both parties are concentrating on how to win the elections
next year. We did not discuss a possible coalition," he said.
The two parties won 56 percent of the vote between them in the
1999 election.
Pramono meanwhile said that both parties had agreed not to
sling mud each other in order to maintain peace ahead of the
elections.
He said that the PDI Perjuangan and Golkar had also agreed to
improve their performance in the House, especially as regards the
passing of legislation.
At the end of the meeting, the PDI Perjuangan and Golkar
appointed Pramono and Slamet respectively as their liaison
officers.