Jakarta – National Mandate Party (PAN) secretary-general Zulkifli Hasan says his party will punish members who do not support their coalition with the Democratic Party (PD) and the reelection of incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Reports say 50 leaders of PAN's local branches will declare their support later Tuesday for presidential candidate Jusuf Kalla of the Golkar Party. However, another PAN executive, Alvin Lie, claimed it was the branch leaders' right to support Kalla.

"As long as they do not use the party's attributes and facilities, they are free to choose and support any candidate," he said. "The law recognizes freedom of expression and political stance."