Talks stall on coalition of three big parties

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)