Prof. Dr. Syamsuddin Haris from the Indonesian Science Institute (LIPI) said the Jokowi government will enjoy the election of Novanto as one having problem would be easier to control.
Novanto, whose political reputation has been tarnished with a number of legal and ethical cases, has surprised many by emerging as a new leader of the countrys second largest party in the election earlier this week.
Immediately after his victorious election was declared Novanto, announced the partys decision to renegade the coalition of opposition parties (KMP) and joined the ruling coalition.
Novanto even has gone as far as saying that Golkar would support Jokowi in the next presidential election in 2019.
Syamsuddin said the ruling party PDIP, which has helped Jokowi in building up his political career since he was mayor of the Central Java city of Solo and governor of Jakarta until he became president, should be careful with political maneuver of Golkar.
"Golkar already announced its support, but PDIP still is lagging behind with lengthy process of selection of candidates, fit and proper test, and endorsement by its general chairwoman," he said.
It is not impossible that Jokowi would abandon PDIP as his political vehicle, he said.
PDIP even has often acted more like an opposition to major government policy such as over draft law on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and tax amnesty bill.
Golkar has also shocked observers when its shifted its position from being political foe by announcing that it would throw its political weight for Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahja Purnama (Ahok), in his reelection bid in 2017.
Meanwhile PDIP, who helped Ahok to the governorship, has indirectly accused the popular governor of seeking the elimination of political parties, when he decided to run as independent candidate.
"Golkar is smart in seeing where the wind is blowing. They support Ahok as they see they would lose if they go against Ahok. The same as they do when they announced support for Jokowi," a political observer said.
Political constellation at the Parliament, therefore, has changed sharply. With , Golkar, formerly the largest opposition party, joining the ruling coalition, there are only two remaining in the opposition Red and White Coalition (KMP) - Geridra and PKS.
Sjamsuddin, however, said there is no guarantee that Golkar would be offered a seat at the Cabinet .
Vice President Jusuf Kalla and the Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs, Law and Security Luhut Panjaitan, were former leaders of Golkar, but they did not represent the party.
If Jokowi is to give Golkar a seat at the cabinet, he had to be fair with other former members of the KMP - PAN and PPP, Sjamsuddin said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
