Jakarta – The Prosperous Justice Party, or PKS, has reiterated its commitment to stay with the opposing Red-White Coalition led by Prabowo Subianto amid speculations that it would switch sides and support President Joko Widodo's administration.

Speaking at an annual party congress at Bumi Wiyata Hotel in Depok, just south of the capital, PKS chairman Shohibul Iman said the party will remain true to the coalition, known as the KMP, even as other parties departed.

The National Mandate Party was the latest to join Joko's Awesome Indonesia Coalition last year while the Democratic Party left the Red-White bloc, established to support Prabowo's bid for presidency in 2014, after the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) chairman lost to Joko in the election.

The other two parties, Golkar and United Development Party (PPP) are now facing an internal split with one camp wishing to stay as opposition and the other pressing to join Joko's alliance.

Shohibul promised the PKS will continue to provide constructive criticism and maintain checks and balances on Joko's administration, even though it is likely that the party and Gerindra will be the only two left in the Red-White Coalition.

"PKS believes that the number [of parties] in a coalition is inconsequential. We believe the quality and commitment in supervising the government's duty to provide welfare for people is most important thing," Shohibul said.

Rumors that the Islamic-based party will join the pro-government coalition surfaced last month following a closed-door meeting between Shohibul and Joko at the State Palace on Dec. 21.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/pks-stay-red-white-coalition-says-party-chief/