Jakarta – The Democratic Party remains seemingly unperturbed about a possible coalition between the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Golkar Party.
"We are optimistic and will approach other parties to form a new coalition, which will be bigger and stronger than the possible PDI-P-Golkar coalition," Democratic Party deputy chairman Anas Urbaningrum said Friday.
He added his party would continue to "coalesce" with other parties currently backing the current administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. "We hope Golkar is still in the coalition with us," Anas added.
On Thursday, PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri held a rare talk with Vice President and Golkar chairman Jusuf Kalla over lunch to explore the possibility of forming a coalition between the country's two largest parties, in an opening salvo aimed at denting Yudhoyono's bid for a second term in office. Anas dismissed the Megawati-Kalla talks as a "normal" meeting, reiterating his party had no cause for concern.
The meeting came at a time when the latest opinion polls showed the PDI-P and Golkar slipping in popularity against the Democratic Party.
Political analysts say the Democratic Party should court prominent mid-sized parties to counter the possible PDI-P-Golkar alliance.
"A coalition between Golkar and the PDI-P would spell serious danger for the Democratic Party, especially if those parties can attract Islamic-based parties," said Paramadina University political expert Bima Arya Sugianto.
He added Islamic parties such as the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), and the United Development Party (PPP) boasted significant voter bases, with the PKS, for instance, renowned for its loyal and militant supporters.
"The Democratic party should be more active in approaching Islamic parties, otherwise it risks losing the elections," he said.
The meeting between Megawati and Kalla resulted in the signing of a five-point agreement on shared goals that called for, among other things, the building of a strong government and presidency with strong backing from the parliament.
Both Megawati and Kalla hinted the meeting could pave the way for a formal coalition that would lead to the formation of a strong government after the April 9 legislative elections. However, the two party leaders admitted the meeting did not touch on the delicate issue of whether they would pair up for the July presidential election.
But Bima was doubtful the meeting would end with the establishment of a strong coalition. "I think the meeting was only a political entertainment event for the public. We can't expect too much from it."
The University of Indonesia's Boni Hargens agreed, saying Kalla had staged the meeting as part of his strategy to cow the Democratic Party. "The meeting will also intimidate some mid-sized parties that plan to join a coalition with the Democratic Party for the presidential poll," he said, adding most parties tended to join strong and promising coalitions. (naf)