Bagus BT Saragih, Jakarta – The hope of getting into the House of Representatives by politicians from parties deemed ineligible to run in the 2014 general elections have been kept alive by deals struck with established parties.
While some minor parties have filed suits in the State Administrative Court over the General Election Commission's (KPU) decision to disqualify them, others have been in talks with major parties about the possibility of building alliances. In a few cases, parties have made the two efforts simultaneously.
The fact that the KPU declared only 10 political parties to be eligible to contest the 2014 election – fewer than the 38 parties in 2009 and 24 in 2004, has heightened the bargaining position of eligible parties in recruiting parties seeking a merger.
For eligible parties, absorbing minor political parties provides additional "logistics" in contesting the elections.
Some eligible parties with massive resources but lacking support could begin looking for disqualified parties to access voters in the country's rural areas. The scramble for minor political parties has created what many have called "a political market".
Many parties have appointed special teams tasked to scout potential merger partners. The People's Conscience Party (Hanura) is one of the parties on the hunt for minor parties.
Hanura's recent decision to recruit media mogul Hary Tanoesoedibjo looks to have improved the party's electability, not only because of Hary's financial resources, but also his massive media empire, which could significantly boost the party's media campaign.
Hary also agreed to bring his newly-founded mass organization Indonesia United (Perindo) under Hanura's umbrella.
Hanura chairman Gen. (ret) Wiranto has also claimed that he has received proposals from many disqualified parties which have expressed interest in merging with his party.
Among the parties were the National Care for People Party (PPRN), the Democratic Renewal Party (PDP), the Indonesian Democracy Vanguard Party (PPDI) and the National Republic Party.
The Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), is also looking for minor parties to join its coalition.
Capitalizing on the party chief patron Lt. Gen. (ret) Prabowo Subianto's stature as one of the most popular presidential candidates, it recently succeeded in wooing the Muslim-based National Ulema Awakening Party (PKNU).
The National Mandate Party (PAN), an established party with 46 seats at the House, has also been on the lookout for disqualified parties in a hope that they would bring in more resources.
A source close to the party said that PAN, like other established political parties, had attempted to win the support of minor parties by offering financial assistance.
"PAN has a strong party structure down to local levels but they need logistics to run in 2014," the source said.
PAN chairman Hatta Rajasa said at least seven disqualified political parties had agreed to join the party. Among them were the Star Reform Party (PBR) and the Freedom Bull National Party (PNBK).
Siti Zuhro, a political analyst from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), said that some political parties were now getting more assertive in marketing themselves.
"We have been seeing that as we move closer to the 2014 polls, parties are getting more aggressive in promoting themselves. Eligible parties want to make sure of what is in it for them, and conversely, whether there are any drawbacks posed by the parties merging?" she said.