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.