Susilo and Kalla win PKS's support
Tiarma Siboro and Fabiola Desi Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
The Muslim-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) officially endorsed presidential candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his running mate Jusuf Kalla on Thursday, asking party members and sympathizers to vote for the pair in the Sept. 20 runoff.
Speaking at a joint press conference at PKS headquarters in South Jakarta, PKS leader Hidayat Nur Wahid and Susilo revealed a six-point political agreement. One of the points was to support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state by 2005 and to halt all diplomatic ties with Israel.
Four of the other points were to promote good governance, improve the education sector, uphold the supremacy of the law and create more job opportunities.
The PKS also asked Susilo, a retired four-star Army general, to promote civilian supremacy as part of the democratization process in the country.
"Pak Susilo promised not to promote a militaristic rule or to create a police state," Hidayat said.
Neither Susilo or Hidayat would discuss any deals they made on the composition of a possible Cabinet under Susilo.
Indonesia will hold a presidential runoff on Sept. 20, with incumbent Megawati Soekarnoputri and running mate Hasyim Muzadi of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) facing Susilo and Kalla, who were nominated by the Democratic Party.
Megawati earlier received endorsements from the Golkar Party, which received the most votes in the April 5 legislative election, the Muslim-based United Development Party (PPP), the Christian-oriented Prosperous Peace Party (PDS) and the Reform Star Party (PBR).
PDI-P, Golkar, PPP and PDS also agreed to form a loose coalition that brings together at least 307 seats in the 550- member House of Representatives.
The announcement on Thursday followed a series of meetings between Susilo and members of the PKS' law-making body to discuss various issues, particularly the two parties' political platforms.
With the PKS having made its decision, the lobbying of two undecided parties, the Amien Rais-led National Mandate Party (PAN) and Abdurrahman Wahid's National Awakening Party (PKB), only intensified.
Meanwhile, Megawati disclosing several possible candidates for her Cabinet if she wins the runoff.
On Wednesday, members of Megawati's campaign team mentioned Achmad Ali as a possible attorney general candidate, noted economist Mari Pangestu and Sri Mulyani as candidates for the economic team, and noted Muslim scholar Azyumardi Azra as a possible religious affair minister.
PDI-P deputy secretary-general Pramono Anung said these noted lecturers and researchers had been approached to be part of a future Megawati Cabinet.
"They expressed a positive response to the proposal," Pramono said, while refusing to specify whether they had accepted any offers.
PPP leader Hamzah Haz said on Thursday his party was ready to provide other candidates for a future Cabinet. He, however, stressed that it was the prerogative of the elected president to choose his or her ministers.