Alfian and Desy Nurhayati, Jakarta – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's re-election bid has gained support from beyond his Democratic Party, but analysts say neither of the recent political groupings in favor of or against him have substance in terms of true coalitions.
The Islamic-based Prosperous Justice Party reiterated during its rally in the West Java town of Depok on Sunday the party's wish to form a coalition with Yudhoyono's party. "You heard it yourselves: Our constituents prefer an alliance with the Democrats," PKS chairman Tifatul Sembiring told reporters.
When asking party supporters if they would like the PKS to partner with the Golkar Party or the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the crowd gave a thumbs down. But they gave a resounding thumbs up to the Democratic Party.
Tifatul confirmed PKS chief patron Hilmi Aminuddin had attended a meeting at Yudhoyono's residence in Cikeas in Bogor on Thursday, but said any decision on a coalition would be put on hold until after the April 9 elections.
In response to a move by the PDI-P, Golkar and the United Development Party (PPP) to form a "golden triangle" coalition, the Democratic Party claimed it was looking forward to forming a "golden bridge" – with the PKS, the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the National Mandate Party (PAN).
Both PKS and Democratic Party leaders played down talks about the coalition. "The Democratic Party and the PKS are still together in the current coalition, which will last until the end of the term," PKS co-founder Hidayat Nur Wahid said Sunday.
"We have also agreed to join forces to save voters' right in the coming elections by establishing a monitoring team."
Democratic Party deputy chairman Anas Urbaningrum said the party appreciated the PKS's support. "Of course we'll cooperate with parties that share our mission, But we have yet to exactly interpret those parties' stance as real support," he said.
University of Indonesia political expert Fachri Ali said such political blocs were only temporary and created for pragmatic reasons.
"There is no guarantee these groupings will last long. If the parties were serious about forming coalitions, they would have discussed who would be president, who would drive politics and who would drive the economy. But they have not done any of these things," Fachri told The Jakarta Post recently.
PPP executive Emron Pangkapi said his party, the PDI-P and Golkar had held an official meeting to discuss the possibility of forming a coalition after the legislative elections. "But we have not officially reached any coalition agreement," he said, adding the decision would depend almost entirely on the results of the legislative elections.
State administration expert Irman Putra Sidin said the two groupings had been hastily established. "Some parties are looking overconfident, while others are freaking out," he said.
Indo Barometer political observer Muhammad Qodari said the "golden triangle" and "golden bridge" were not yet concrete platforms for coalitions. "They have yet to synchronize their common political agendas," he pointed out.