Indra Harsaputra and Agnes S. Jayakarna, Sidoarjo, East Java – In contrast to the recent rift in the coalition and despite the outcry over the mudflow disaster, the upcoming regency elections in Sidoarjo, East Java, have seen the Democratic Party and Golkar Party joining forces to back candidates from the much-criticized Lapindo Brantas Inc.

The mudflow started in 2006 following drilling activities under Lapindo; however the Supreme Court has declared the firm not guilty for the disaster which has displaced some 40,000 residents.

The Democratic Party declared its support for an executive of Lapindo set to run in the upcoming Sidoarjo regency elections. In Surabaya, the same party has formed a coalition with Golkar to back a pair running in the local mayoral election.

In his trip to the mudflow site last week, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono instructed the company, to speed up its compensation payments to victims.

The firm is controlled by the Bakrie Group under former chief people's welfare minister Aburizal Bakrie, now the Golkar Party chairman. The President's statement was seen as a further sign of cracks in the coalition.

The Democratic Party, of which Yudhoyono is chief patron, recently declared its support for Lapindo public relations and social affairs vice president Yuniwati Teryana, who is set to run in the election.

Sidoarjo Democratic Party executive secretary Dawud Budi Sutrisno said Yuniwati had been endorsed by party chairman Hadi Utomo and regional executive board secretary Amir Syamsuddin on March 2, prior to Yudhoyono's visit to the area.

"As party members in the region, we are obliged to respect the decision and intend to win the elections," Dawud said Friday.

Yuniwati's campaign team leader Asip Hasani said the pair would announce their plan to run in mid April.

Bambang Prasetyo Widodo, operational director of PT Minarak Lapindo Jaya, in charge of the compensation payments, is also set to enter the elections scheduled for July 25. Bambang has gained support from Golkar, the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) and the National Awakening Party (PKB).

Minarak commissioner Gesang Budiarso, who has announced his nomination, has yet to obtain a political vehicle despite his position as East Java Golkar Party secretary.

A political observer from Surabaya, Haryadi, said friction between the parties did not affect regional politics. "Yuniwati is seen as capable of providing a large sum of money," thus gaining support of the Democratic Party, he said.