PNBK slams Golkar, PDI Perjuangan

JAKARTA: The Freedom Bull National Party (PNBK) launched direct attacks against the ruling Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the opposition Golkar Party on Saturday.

Announcing the party's election preparations, PNBK party leader Eros Djarot said it would form a coalition with other nationalist parties to block a possible grouping of Golkar and the PDI-P in the upcoming elections.

"People will stand behind us. Do not vote for Golkar or the PDI-P," Erros said, after showcasing party election materials at its headquarters in Central Jakarta.

The PNBK, which expects to win about 6 percent of seats in the legislative election, is likely to form a coalition with the United Democratic Nationhood Party (PPDK), the Reform Star Party (PBR) and the New Indonesia Alliance Party (PPIB).

Former PDI-P party member Erros predicted Golkar and the PDI-P were likely to lose a significant number of voters due to the presence of several splinter parties.

The Patriot Pancasila, the PPDK, and Siti Hardiyanti "Tutut" Rukmana's Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB) would splinter the Golkar vote, while the PNBK, Rachmawati Soekarnoputri's Pioneer Party and Sukmawati Soekarnoputri's Marhaenisme Indonesia National Party would hurt the PDI-P, he said. -- JP