Jakarta – Presidential front runner Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and running mate Jusuf Kalla have begun their search for coalition partners even though they had insisted just days ago that any political alliance would be made only after the September 20 run-off.

Mr Jusuf met Mr Hamzah Haz, leader of the United Development Party (PPP), at the latter's private residence in Tegalan, Central Jakarta, on Thursday to look into the possibility of forming a coalition for the second round of polls.

Meanwhile, a planned meeting between President Megawati Sukarnoputri of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and Dr Amien Rais, the leader of the National Mandate Party (PAN), was called off on Thursday after Dr Amien decided to go home to Yogyakarta. "We will try to reschedule it," a PDI-P source told the Jakarta Post.

After his one-hour meeting with Mr Hamzah, Mr Jusuf told reporters that his presidential ticket needed support not just from the grassroots, but also from political leaders at the House of Representatives. "If we win the election, the PPP will surely be included in the Cabinet," he said.

The Bambang-Jusuf Kalla ticket, which currently leads the provisional tally of the July 5 election, had said that a limited coalition would be formed only after the run-off. Mr Bambang is likely to face the incumbent in the second round of Indonesia's presidential election.

Mr Hamzah, who is also the incumbent Vice-President, said both camps had invited his party to forge a coalition. But he said his party's decision would be made only after its national leadership meeting next Tuesday. The General Elections Commission is scheduled to announce the first round results on Monday.

"Both candidates have offered the same thing to the PPP, but I will remain neutral and let the party decide," Mr Hamzah said.

Mr Jusuf, the former coordinating minister for people's welfare, said his ticket was seeking as much support as possible from major parties in the House in a bid to build a strong government. 'We are allocating 40 per cent of Cabinet seats to political parties and 60 per cent to professionals,' he added.

Mr Bambang had said earlier that he would establish a limited coalition only after the run-off. He had also said that he would give only a small portion of Cabinet seats to politicians in order to avoid horse trading.

Mr Jusuf said on Tuesday that they would focus on seeking support from the grassroots. But he explained yesterday: "What we meant by a 'limited coalition' was excluding the PDI-P. Should we win the presidential election we have to start talking, but of course that would be after September 20."

Ms Megawati has been actively seeking coalition partners in her bid to retain the country's top job. Earlier this month, she met the chief patron of the National Awakening Party, Mr Abdurrahman Wahid, as well as Mr Zainuddin M.Z., the leader of the Reform Star Party.

Dr Amien, the National Assembly Speaker, meanwhile, conceded defeat in the election yesterday. PAN's candidate said he and his running mate, Mr Siswono Yudohusodo, accepted their failure with "all their heart and soul as well as with a sense of reality".