Markus Junianto Sihaloho – Analysts say newly elected Golkar Party chairman Aburizal Bakrie will solidify support for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and ensure the profitability of his business interests, at least for the next five years.
Speaking in Jakarta on Thursday, Patra M Zen, chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), said Yudhoyono would be indebted to "share" his power with his outgoing coordinating minister for people's welfare in return for political support.
"Ical's individual interests and also his business group's interests will be safe for the next five years," Patra said, using Bakrie's nickname. The Golkar chairman was elected to serve a five-year term.
Sebastian Salang, from the Concerned Citizens Forum for the Indonesian Parliament (Formappi), agreed with Patra that Bakrie would most likely align Golkar with the president's Democratic Party.
"Now we just wait and see how the two groups compromise the power," he said. "If agreed to, it reinforces the attitude that Golkar always wants to stay part of the ruling government."
The addition of Golkar to the Democrat's coalition would mean that more than 70 percent of the total seats in the House of Representatives would be aligned with the government, which conversely meant a weakening of a critical opposition, Salang said.
"What we have to be worried about is that it will have a negative impact on the checks and balances between the executive and legislative branches as mandated by democratic principles," he said, adding that the lack of proper opposition could open the door for abuses of power.
On the other hand, Salang said that the consolidation of power was a rational goal for Yudhoyono and was to be expected in any democracy around the world. But he urged Golkar and the Democrat coalition members to remain critical of government policy.
"They must always remember that all government policies must be for the benefit of the citizens," he said.
Asked about Golkar's prospects if it formed part of the government, Salang said the union would not guarantee the party's fortunes in the 2014 elections. "Golkar members must remember that even after 2004, with Jusuf Kalla occupying the position of vice president, they failed to win the 2009 elections," he said.
Separately, a senior official from the Democratic Party, Anas Urbaningrum, congratulated Bakrie on his success, saying he was the best choice to continue political cooperation between Golkar and the Democrats.
"We believe that it's easier to build communication and understanding regarding Indonesia's future with Golkar," Anas said. "To date, we feel comfortable enough communicating with Golkar and Ical."
Tjahjo Kumolo, a senior politician of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), meanwhile, declined to comment on Bakrie's election. "For us, it is unethical to respond to other party's internal affairs," he said.