Novianti Setuningsih, Jakarta – The two feuding factions of the Golkar Party – Indonesia's oldest political party – have agreed to set aside their differences in order to select candidates for upcoming regional elections.
The two factions' leaders – incumbent chairman Aburizal Bakrie and his rival, Agung Laksono – came to an agreement after they met separately with Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Saturday night.
"The vice president has spoken to Agung Laksono," Aburizal said, following his closed-door meeting with Kalla. "JK [Kalla] told me that Agung has agreed to let both sides nominate prospective candidates."
The stopgap measure is a rare show of unity for the party, which has been locked in a bitter leadership struggle since December last year.
Kalla – a former Golkar chairman – is leading mediation efforts between Agung and Aburizal, who both claim to be the rightful leaders of the party.
This week the Jakarta State Administrative Affairs Court (PTUN) annulled a decree from the Justice Minister that recognized Agung's claim to chairman and reinstated Aburizal.
However, the court ruling was immediately appealed by Agung's camp and Justice Ministry has said it will file a separate challenge.