Jakarta – The Golkar Party is nearing breaking point over whether to name its own presidential candidate or maintain its coalition with the Democratic Party, political pundits said Thursday.
The current national leadership of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla is the result of the coalition formed for the last election in 2004.
"The Democratic Party's recent statement has made the tension worse," political observer Arbi Sanit told The Jakarta Post.
On Monday, Democratic Party deputy chairman Ahmad Mubarok said Golkar would grab no more than 2.5 percent of total votes in the April 9 legislative elections. The statement outraged Golkar leaders and forced Yudhoyono as the Democratic Party's chief patron to rebuke Mubarok and play down the "offensive" remark.
Paramadina University political expert Bima Arya Sugiarto said more cracks had begun appearing within Golkar in the run-up to the elections, adding, "Obviously, this is a conflict between the party's elites."
He said the internal bickering would cause serious polarization among party members, unless chairman Kalla failed to resolve it. "Senior members like Agung Laksono want Golkar to name its own presidential candidate and not rely on the SBY-Kalla team," Bima said.
Last week, Agung said Golkar's national meeting on Feb. 17-18 might discuss presidential candidates, besides the party's preparations for the elections. However, Kalla denied the issue would be part of the agenda.
Arbi said Kalla was now in a critical position, facing both internal and external pressure that could affect his political career.
"Kalla believes he must work with SBY to win a second term in office. But the situation in the party may force him to think twice," he said. "Golkar members hope if their party wins the presidential election with their own candidate, they will gain more power to occupy strategic positions in the government."
Both Arbi and Bima said the upcoming Golkar meeting promised some surprising results, including a possible candidate for the presidency.
Golkar deputy secretary Rully Chairul Azwar denied reports of tension between party members. "Differences of opinion are normal in politics," he said.
Golkar executive Priyo Budi Santoso agreed, saying "it is not true" the party was splitting into two camps – one backing the Yudhoyono-Kalla team, and the other opposed to this notion. He added Golkar would decide on its presidential candidate after the April 9 legislative elections.
Speculation is rife that Golkar might opt to back Kalla, Akbar Tadjung, Surya Paloh, Agung Laksono, Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, Aburizal Bakrie or Fadel Muhammad, rather than Yudhoyono, for the presidency. (naf)