Erwida Maulia, Jakarta – Democratic Party chief patron Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono lashed out at the Golkar Party for resorting to threats to have its so-called pork barrel proposal approved by members of the government coalition.

While addressing a press conference at the State Palace in Cipanas, West Java, on Friday, the President said Golkar's recent threat to leave the newly established coalition joint secretariat, which is headed by the party's chairman, Aburizal Bakrie, constituted "immaturity" in politics.

"I believe that making threats so easily shows immaturity in politics. We have the joint secretariat, so please consult the problem [with other coalition members] there instead of making threats.

"Threats are indeed utilized in political dynamics, but I would not allow myself to make them," the President said.

Upset with a lack of support from other coalition members for its proposal, Golkar Party deputy chairman Yamin Tawari recently voiced his intention to ask the party's leadership to leave the coalition's joint secretariat.

"Given the condition, Golkar being on its own, perhaps it is better that Golkar leave the joint secretariat. We will suggest this to the chairman," he said.

Yamin's statement, however, was immediately denied by another Golkar deputy chairman, Priyo Budi Santoso, but not before it was widely reported by the media.

Golkar proposed that each of the House of Representatives' 560 members be given Rp 15 billion (US$1.65 million) to help develop the regions that elected them.

Five other coalition members, including Yudhoyono's Democratic Party, rejected the proposal amid strong public criticism that the scheme constituted money politics and would lead to corruption.

Yudhoyono said the proposal ran against the existing development funding mechanisms, which are under the auspices of ministries, other government institutions and regional administrations.

"If the House members want their regions [namely those who've elected them] to be given attention for, let's say, project A or B, they can suggest this to regional administrations or through the national development planning conference," the President said.

"It will be difficult if there is suddenly another scheme besides the existing two systems... This is the government's stance to avoid the emergence of new problems," he added.

Finance Minister Agus Martowadojo has said Golkar's pork barrel scheme would not be part of the deliberations on the 2011 state budget. House Speaker Marzuki Alie has also voiced his opposition to the controversial scheme.

The Golkar Party, however, remains upbeat their proposal will be approved. "A politician has to be optimistic. The Golkar Party is upbeat that in the end we will get the approval," party secretary-general Idrus Marham said as quoted by detik.com news portal on Friday.

He insisted that the so-called "aspiration funds" would help develop disadvantaged regions. "This is the need of the people. The House should respond to the people's aspirations."