"An effective coalition has to be set up before a presidential election. Unlike the present one which was set up after the presidential election," he said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Golkar Party is prepared to coalesce with the Indonesia Democratic Party-Struggle (PDIP) for the presidential election in 2014, Golkar politician Hadjriyanto Y Thohari said.
"It is not impossible for the Golkar Party to coalesce with PDIP for the 2014 presidential election. Both are old parties and have a long experience in politics. The two also have similar political platfforms. So, why not. Golkar will not reject a coalition with PDIP," Hadjriyanto said here on Monday.
The deputy chairman of the People`s Consultative Assembly (MPR) said post-election coalitions like the existing Democrat Party-led government coalition were not effective nor solid.
"An effective coalition has to be set up before a presidential election. Unlike the present one which was set up after the presidential election," he said.
He said what Taufik Kiemas, a senior PDIP politician, had recently suggested was right.
"I share Taufik Kiemas`s idea that a coalition must be formed before the presidential election. A coalition formed before a president election is more solid and genuine. The minus side meanwhile is that the maneuvering room for the parties involved will be narrowed," he said.
Regarding the right figures for the presidential and vice presidential ticket of the envisaged Golkar-PDIP coalition, Hadjrianto said it was still too early to discuss the matter.
"It should be decided in the due course in line with the internal mechanisms in the parties concerned. It is still too early to mention names and positions," he said.
He said now was not the right time for mentioning names as it would only be counter-productive because right now the image of political parties was not good before the people.
He said now was the time for political parties to work hard to improve their reputation by conducting pro-people activities.
For Golkar, he said, the nomination of its general chairman, Aburizal Bakrie, de facto has been final although "de jure it still has yet to be determined at the leadership meeting in 2012. Hopefully it will be the same as the de facto decision. We keep working and praying. Man propose, God disposes. Therefore, Golkar cadres must be low-profile and should not become arrogant because of the good results of surveys or its experience."
PDIP senior politician Taufiq Kiemas who is also the husband of former president Megawati Soekarnoputri recently suggested that political parties start building coalitions now before the presidential election is held in 2014.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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