Adianto P. Simamora, Jakarta – With the Golkar Party still deliberating who it will choose as its presidential candidates, chairman Jusuf Kalla continues to secure support from regional party branches.

Kalla, also Indonesia's Vice President, spent the long weekend on the campaign trail through the provinces of West Kalimantan, Bangka Belitung, Bengkulu and Lampung in a bid to garner backing for his presidential bid.

"Pak Kalla's presidential bid has now secured 'official' support from all regencies in seven provinces. They have signed a letter of support to show their commitment," Kalla's close aide Muchlis Hasyim told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

Those Golkar provincial branches are North Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, West Kalimantan, Bangka Belitung, Bengkulu and Lampung.

Muchlis said party branches in West Java had expressed support for Kalla but not yet made it official.

"Kalla is scheduled to visit Yogyakarta and Central Java this Saturday to meet with Golkar member after being invited by the provincial branches," he said. Golkar's Yogyakarta branch is known for its critical view of Kalla.

Before departing on his weekend campaign trip, Kalla met with United Development Party (PPP) leaders Saturday and agreed to build a political coalition if they collectively win a majority 51 percent of House of Representatives seats in the legislative election next month. He had earlier met with leaders of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).

Kalla is also scheduled to meet with Megawati Soekarnoputri, chair of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, to discuss a possible coalition for the presidential election.

Kalla announced his presidential bid last month after 33 Golkar provincial branch heads agreed to back him. Since then, Kalla has been actively arranging meetings with party supporters.

On Saturday, Kalla told Golkar members in the West Kalimantan capital of Pontianak about his capabilities as a leader.

"I am proud to have always played a strong role in maintaining security. I believe I am capable of leading the country," Kalla said to state-news agency Antara.

"I was there when the country was in crisis, facing difficulties and dealing with upheavals. I helped us overcome those problems," he said.

Kalla was behind peace talks in Maluku, Poso in Central Sulawesi and Aceh.

Golkar's Pontianak city leader Gusti Hersan Aslirosa said Kalla was the best figure to lead the country in terms of security, peace and welfare.

In Lampung, Kalla also repeated statements about his readiness for contesting the presidential election. He urged party cadres in Bengkulu to prove wrong a recent prediction that Golkar would only win 2.5 percent of the vote in the legislative elections.

"Almost all Golkar regional leaders across the country have shifted their support behind, especially after a rival party predicted we would only secure 2.5 percent of the vote," he said, referring to a statement made by a Democratic Party politician.

Golkar's Bengkulu branch leader Kurnia Utama said all party offices in the province were out to help Kalla win the presidency. "We support Kalla for president voluntarily," Kurnia said.

Golkar is expected to announce the result of its survey after the April 9 legislative elections.