Adianto P. Simamora, Jakarta – The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) favors forming a coalition with nationalist parties rather than other Islamic-based parties for the upcoming presidential election, a top PKS member says.

The PKS has predicted that Islamic-based parties will receive a similar amount of support as in previous elections, where they garnered less than 10 percent of the national vote.

"For us, the most likely option now is to build a coalition with parties aiming for different segments, like the nationalist parties," chairman of the PKS's winning team for legislative elections, M. Rozikum told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

"If we want to increase our votes, we would be better off joining the nationalists than merging with Islamic parties."

He said the PKS had approached major nationalist parties, including with the Golkar party, Democratic party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) about this prospect.

There are currently nine Islamic parties contesting the April elections, including PKS, the United Development Party (PPP), the National Awakening Party (PKB), the National Mandate Party (PAN), the Crescent Star Party (PBB) and the Reform Star Party (PBR).

At a meeting with party members in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, PKS President Tifatul Sembiring said PKS would not be able to widen its support base without a coalition with a nationalist party.

"If the PKS relies only on the Islamic parties, we will not be strong in the elections. We need to set up coalitions with nationalist parties," he said to Antara news agency.

He said the party would invite leaders from nationalist parties to the PKS office to discuss the possibility of a merger.