Kinanti Pinta Karana – A political contract signed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party and five other parties on Thursday night amounts to a conspiracy, one political analyst argues.

"It's a political cartel – different parties with a common goal," Ari Dwipayana of Yogyakarta's Gajah Mada University told the Jakarta Globe.

"A cartel-based democracy whose purpose is to prevent opposition will trigger future problems and create a gap between the constituents' political aspirations and party elites."

Besides the Democratic Party (PD), the contract was signed by the United Development Party (PPP), National Mandate Party (PAN), National Awakening Party (PKB), Golkar and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).

While the contents of the document were not released, PPP chairman Surya Dharma Ali said the agreement meant there should not be "different perceptions or opinions" among the executive and legislative branches of the government, as well as cabinet ministers. He said that did not mean lawmakers were giving up their right to criticize. PKS head Tifatul Sembiring said the agreement would improve communication.

But according to Ali, in countries like the US, the presidential system functions well because the parliament or legislature keeps watch over the executive branch.

"In a democratic system, the duties of the legislature include monitoring the government. If the monitoring function is inactive, there won't be any checks and balances, which in the end will make the government ineffective and undemocratic," said Ari. "In Indonesia it seems as if the system works by weakening the parliament."

Ari said he believed political parties were already lining up for the 2014 election. By aligning themselves with the palace, he said, they can curry favor with Yudhoyono and claim responsibility for any government successes.