PDI-P-Golkar Coalition: United Again???

PDI-P-Golkar Coalition Aims At Regional Leaders’ Election
Friday, 22 June, 2007 | 14:51 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Chairman of the Central Leadership Council (DPP) Golkar Party, Burhanuddin Napitupulu, said the short-term agenda of a coalition between the Golkar Party and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is for winning the regional leaders’ election. So far their coalition in the election has ended in failure. “Just like what happened in Depok and Bekasi (West Java),” said Burhanuddin in Jakarta yesterday (21/6).

Now the regional leaders’ election they want to win in the near future are in two crucial areas, West Java and Jakarta.

In addition, he mentioned the other agenda, to move the two parties’ interests through the discussion of a political bill. The last item on the agenda is, “It is possible that this coalition is for the interest of the president and vice president’s election (2009).”

Golkar and PDI-P declared their coalition plan in Medan, North Sumatra, Tuesday (19/6). During the event, there were Taufiq Kiemas, Pramono Anung, Tjahjo Kumolo and Panda Nababan. From Golkar, there were Surya Paloh, Soemarsono, Syamsul Muarif and Priyo Budi Santosa.

Furthermore, Burhanuddin explained about the political packet, that the coalition will review the voting system at the House.

According to them, the current system is only for distributing power. “There’s no pure democratic mechanism.”

The opinion gained criticism from other parties’ exponents. A source at the House said that the two major coalitions aimed to destroy small parties. They, he said, will fight for the increase of the electoral threshold.

The two party maneuver did not concern President Susilo Bambng Yudhoyono. According to presidential spokesperson Andi Malaranggeng, the meeting of the two great parties is commonplace.