Talks stall on coalition of three big parties
JAKARTA (JP): Talks on a possible coalition between three reformist parties hit a stumbling block on Monday after the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) secretly involved nationalist parties, a credible source said.
The other two parties -- the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) -- were enraged because they were not consulted on the move, a source at PAN said on Monday.
He said that PDI Perjuangan negotiator Theo Syafei held separate covert meetings to discuss a stembus akoord (vote- sharing deal) with five to 10 small nationalist-secular parties.
"PDI Perjuangan's move is a political setback. It will sharpen differences between the Muslim and Nationalist-secular camps, a political phenomenon some 30 years to 40 years ago," the source said.
He said PAN and PKB were against PDI Perjuangan's move because they wished to maintain their independence.
"PAN and PKB are not Muslim-oriented parties. But we are not nationalist-secular parties, either," he said.
The source said PDI Perjuangan chief Megawati Soekarnoputri was opposed to Theo's maneuver and that PKB and PAN representatives would meet her later on Monday.
He said the reformist party considered pulling the Justice and Unity Party (PKP) into the vote-sharing deal.
Extended
Meanwhile, chairman of the General Elections Commission (KPU) Rudini announced on Monday that the deadline for the submission of any vote-sharing deals between 48 political parties contesting the June 7 elections was extended to June 4, the last day of campaigning. Earlier, the commission ruled the deadline as Monday.
"The parties seem to be busy with their campaigning and election preparations. Therefore, KPU's plenary meeting decided to give them more time," he said.
KPU decree No. 88/1999 stipulates the deal between political parties must be announced seven days ahead of the election day.
Eight Muslim parties have closed a deal to apportion extra votes among them. They are the Justice Party (PK), the Crescent Star Party (PBB), the United Development Party (PPP), the Muslim Community Awakening Party (PKU), the Nahdlatul Ummat Party (PNU), the Islamic Community Party (PUI), the Indonesian Masyumi Islamic Political Party (PPIM) and the Indonesian Syarikat Islam Party - 1905 (PSII-1905).
Another deal was forged between three Muslim-oriented parties -- the New Indonesian Party (PIB), the Islamic Community Party (PUI) and the Nahdlatul Umat Party (PNU) -- in Bengkulu on Sunday.
"The communique says if members of one of the three political parties gain seats in the legislative assembly, the other two are entitled to supervise, reprimand and even replace them with other members if they cannot honor their campaign promises," PIB spokesman Asep Firmansyah Putera said.
Under the communique, he said, a political party which gains extra votes will contribute the remaining votes to the other two parties.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Nationalist Party (PNI), PNI Massa Marhein, PNI Front Marhaenis and the Democratic Nationalist Party (PND) will reportedly sign a similar deal soon.
PDI Perjuangan secretary-general Alexander Litaay vowed on Monday that his party would never join forces with the three parties of the New Order regime legacy -- PDI under the leadership of Budi Hardjono, the United Development Party (PPP) and Golkar Party.
"We're ready to coalesce with other parties, except with the three parties of the New Order administration which have contributed to the present crisis," Litaay told Antara in Jayapura, Irian Jaya. (edt/imn)