Adianto P. Simamora, Jakarta – Political parties have begun building strategies and forces ahead of Jakarta's first-ever gubernatorial elections, scheduled for next year.
The Golkar Party, ranked fourth in the 2004 regional election, revealed Friday its plans to join with the National Mandate Party, the United Development Party, the National Awakening Party and the Prosperous Peace Party.
"For the time being, we have only had informal meetings with the four parties to discuss the coalition. It is still possible (we will) join forces with other ones," Inggard Josua, secretary of the Jakarta chapter of the Golkar Party, told The Jakarta Post.
Golkar selected the four parties on the basis that they shared a common mission to create an environment in Jakarta that was conducive to economic and social development. "Just by chance, the four parties nominated the same figures to bid for the gubernatorial election," Inggard said.
Golkar hopefuls floated for the post include incumbent Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo, city secretary Ritola Tasmaya, former Jakarta military chief Bibit Waluyo, Jakarta member of the Regional Representative Council Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, chairman of the Jakarta Golkar chapter Ade Surapriatna and former transportation minister Agum Gumelar.
"To ensure the choices, we will launch at least three surveys to get input from Jakarta residents about what they wish of the next governor. The most important thing is that the governor must have good leadership skills," he said
"We are not talking about the backgrounds of the candidates, whether he is from the military or an ethnic Betawi (native Jakartan) or not."
The Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) earlier also raised possible plans for a coalition with other parties.
The PDI-P, which came third behind the Democratic Party and Prosperous Justice Party in the regional election, is yet to announce the names of parties it will join with.
The party of former president Megawati Soekarnoputri, the PDI-P is currently the only party giving independents the chance to register as gubernatorial candidates.
Sarwono, along with Agum, the running-mate of former vice-president Hamzah Haz in the 2004 presidential election, and noted economist Faisal Basri have all registered with the party as candidates.
The PDI-P promoted religious tolerance and pluralism as its mission, saying that the multicultural residents of Jakarta needed to remain united despite their differences.
Meanwhile, the Prosperous Justice Party, which is contesting the election on its own, is still considering the opposition. "We have not discussed forming a coalition so far. However, we will see what other parties do," Tri Wicaksana, chairman of the party's local chapter, said.
He said the party was currently finalizing the names of candidates for the post. "Hopefully we will announce only two names for the posts of governor and vice governor next week," he said.
The party earlier considered actor Rano Karno, several retired Army generals, including Bibit and Agus Wijoyo and current National Police deputy chief Comr. Gen. Adang Daradjatun and party member Ahmad Heryawan.