Robert Go, Jakarta – Golkar leader Akbar Tandjung once again pushed Vice-President Megawati Sukarnoputri into a more prominent role in the process of ousting President Abdurrahman Wahid by saying that she is ready to lead a multi-party coalition to govern Indonesia.
"In various informal meetings, the PDI-P chairman has indicated readiness to lead if a multi-party coalition is formed as a solution to the current political crisis," Mr Akbar said in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday.
Online media Satunet also quoted the Parliamentary Speaker as saying that Golkar would completely back Ms Megawati's bid for presidency.
Over the last few weeks, Golkar legislators have encouraged the PDI-P, Indonesia's strongest political party, to take a leading role against the President while they themselves remain in the background.
Last Monday, for example, Mr Akbar delegated the job of leading the parliamentary session that issued a second warning against Mr Abdurrahman to his PDI-P deputy, Mr Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno.
Several analysts, including Mr Kusnanto Anggoro of Jakarta's Centre for Strategic International Studies and University of Indonesia, commented that rather than supporting Ms Megawati, the party of former President Suharto is up to its old tricks.
While PDI-P's active participation is required to force Mr Abdurrahman to quit, Mr Kusnanto argued that Golkar's agenda includes saving its own skin and preparing for future elections.
He added: "This is a classic divide and conquer policy. Making Ms Megawati more active against Gus Dur could cause a bigger divide between her PDI-P and the President's PKB.
"Golkar wants to protect itself by using PDI-P as a shield against the anger of Gus Dur's supporters." Indeed, Mr Akbar's statements came at a time when popular support for him and his party is approaching a low point.
Following the first censure motion against the President, Golkar offices throughout Java were burned and destroyed by mobs who demanded the party's disbandment and accused it of preserving the politics of Mr Suharto's New Order era.
And a recent Satunet poll revealed that 52 per cent of respondents want Mr Akbar and Dr Amien Rais, chairman of the country's highest legislative body MPR, to resign if Mr Abdurrahman gives up the presidency. Respondents believed that the two legislators, who are among the President's harshest critics, are also to blame for Indonesia's political malaise and economic troubles.
Mr Akbar and Dr Amien were key brokers and beneficiaries of the deal that passed over PDI-P's earlier victory at the polls and landed Mr Abdurrahman on the top seat in October 1999.
Despite Golkar's manoeuvrings, analysts also said that time is running out for Ms Megawati, and that she has to make a decision soon about her party's stance towards the President. Said Mr Kusnanto: "Waiting much longer will be risky for her."