Rivalry appeases around table

Rivalry appeases around table

PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: Arch rivalry between the three
election contenders here has turned into night-long chats between
friends.

Faisal Urai of the United Development Party (PPP), Said
Alkadrie of Golkar and Darwis Abubakar of the Indonesian
Democratic Party (PDI) have no reason to end their private talks,
although they are now each competing for public support.

"We are West Kalimantan natives and we are used to working
together at the House of Representatives. We have been friends
for a long time," Feisal said during Sunday's coffee night with
Said.

Darwis was absent from the meeting, regularly held at Kapuas
Palace Hotel's restaurant.

Hotel management has reserved a table for the three faithful
costumers and dares not let anybody else occupy it unless they
are not in town.

The chain-smoking trio usually spend the night trading jokes
and rumors, and will stop the conversation when their wives call
from home.

"We have founded a new faction called the Kalbar (West
Kalimantan) faction," said Said. "Just to show how democracy
applies here the most." (amd)