PKB mulls forming coalition with PDI-P

PKB mulls forming coalition with PDI-P

JAKARTA: The National Awakening Party (PKB) hinted at its intention on Monday to form a coalition with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) ahead of the 2004 direct election.

The PKB faction chairman at the House of Representatives, Ali Masykur Musa, reasoned that his party shared the same ideology as PDI Perjuangan, which is headed by President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

"A coalition can work only if the two parties share similar political platforms," Ali said in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi.

He said PDI Perjuangan would be among the best choices for forging a coalition with PKB, which was founded by former president Abdurrahman Wahid.

He underlined that so far the party had yet to decide on its partner in the 2004 election, but was fully aware of the importance of forming a coalition.

"It would be difficult to win a majority vote in the coming election without forming a coalition with other parties," Ali said.--Antara