Jakarta – Convinced that discussions of a potential coalition between the Golkar Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) will be of little benefit, Vice President Jusuf Kalla has declared that intensive talks between the two parties must soon conclude.
Kalla, who is also Golkar chairman, said his party's central board is currently evaluating whether to continue with the talks.
"There's little to be said of the meetings; we will evaluate them. Maybe it's enough after the (upcoming) Palembang meeting," Kalla told reporters, referring to the second meeting between Golkar and PDI-P in the South Sumatra provincial capital slated for July 17.
Kalla was quoted by Antara as saying the responsibility lies with PDI-P, which will play host at the meeting, to invite other political parties to attend the Palembang gathering.
Kalla also said the initial meeting between Golkar and PDI-P executives in Medan, North Sumatra, was unyielding and not of great significance.
"In Medan, the host was Golkar. Now, in Palembang, PDI-P will be the host. This is what happens during the Idul Fitri holiday, today we get the visit, next week we will visit them in return," Kalla said.
Executives from the two nationalist parties, led by Golkar advisory body chairman Surya Paloh and PDI-P advisory body chairman Taufik Kiemas, met in Medan in late June.
Despite the Medan meeting ending unfruitfully, pundits were quick to point out that it would form the beginnings of a more solid relationship between the two parties.
Anxious over the possibility of two major political parties forming an alliance, executives from eight other factions at the House of Representatives, including the Prosperous Justice Party, the National Mandate Party and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party, recently met to discuss the prospects of an alliance for the 2009 election.
Faction leaders also expressed concerns that should Golkar and PDI-P form a coalition, they could easily manipulate the substance of government-drafted political bills for their own benefit.
House speaker Agung Laksono said other political parties were free to participate in the planned Palembang meeting. "There will be no problems if other political parties join the meeting. Besides, this is not yet a coalition and we have not made any political commitments yet," Agung said.
Echoing Kalla, Agung said that after the Palembang meeting, evaluations would be made as to whether the forum should continue.
Meanwhile, two political parties have announced they will not take part in the PDI-P-sponsored meeting.
Secretary general of the United Development Party Irgan Chairul said his party would not participate in the meeting to avoid further confusing the public over speculation of political alliances.
National Awakening Party patron Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid said he would not take the meeting seriously. "Let them meet. They could go drown in the sea if they want. It's just Surya Paloh and Taufik Kiemas," Gus Dur was quoted by Antara as saying.