The opportunity is now open for Gerindra to join the coalition as so far the Democrat Party and Gerindra Party have already conducted good political communication.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The ruling Democrat Party is opening the opportunity for the Greater Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party to join the government coalition, its deputy secretary general, Saan Mustopa, said.
"The opportunity is now open for Gerindra to join the coalition as so far the Democrat Party and Gerindra Party have already conducted good political communication," Saan said at the parliament building here on Thursday.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as chief patron of the Democrat Party had earlier warned of sanctions to members of the coalition that did not uphold the coalition agreement.
He said the Democrat Party would welcome Gerindra if it would join the coalition because of its view which was similar to that of the Democrat Party.
"Regarding the deal for it however it would be referred to the President," he said.
Mustopa said the communication with Gerindra had been more intense after the party gave a vote in favor of the Democrat Party over the call for the House of Representatives (DPR) to use its right to inquiry for the investigation of a tax mafia issue on February 22.
"The Democrat Party saw Gerindra as having shared its view and rationality in responding to the tax mafia issue," he said.
He said other coalition members would not have a problem if Gerindra joined the coalition.
He declined to tell what compensation Gerindra would get if it joined the coalition.
Two members of the coalition. namely Golkar Party and Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), voted against Democrat Party in the vote on the motion for implementation of the right to inquiry.
The DPR finally dropped the motion with more votes in favor and with Gerindra voting in favor.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
