"I am not in a position to choose (between them). But, of course, I have more respect for the one who has been elected more democratically." Jusuf Kalla said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla said he preferred a more democratically elected Golkar Party leader.

Declining to mention any name, Kalla told newsmen at his office on Monday, "I am not in a position to choose (between them). But, of course, I have more respect for the one who has been elected more democratically." He was responding to queries about two leaderships in the party.

He noted that as the Vice-President he cannot support any single board of the party and cannot become a member on either board.

Aburizal Bakrie was reelected as general chairman of the Golkar Party for the 2014-19 period by acclamation during a congress in Bali recently.

Agung Laksono was also elected general chairman of the party by vote during a rival congress that ended here on Monday.

Jusuf Kalla, a former general chairman of the Golkar Party, said he along with President Joko Widodo had dropped all political party positions after their election and "all ministers also had to quit their positions in political parties and be non-active in party politics," following their nominations.

Regarding Agung Laksonos proposal to name him as advisory board chairman, Kalla noted he had heard about it but had never been officially informed about it.

"Yes, I have heard that many have proposed my name, but I have never been informed about it. Certainly, it must be considered from various aspects," he added.

When asked if the more democratic congress was the one held by Agung Laksono in Jakarta, the Vice-President responded, "dont you know it?"

Asked whether he will confirm it, he said laughing, "it is you who said it."

Regarding the Perppu (government regulation in lieu of law) on regional elections, Kalla emphasized that he believed parliament will finally approve it as two more parties have expressed their stance, which is similar to that of the Great Indonesia coalition (KIH) of parties supporting the government.

If the PAN and Democrat Party join the KIH, around 70 percent of the votes will be in support of the Perppu that mandates direct elections for provincial governors, district heads, and city mayors.

He expressed optimism that the Perppu will be passed despite opposition from the Red-White coalition (KMP). "It will surely be passed as votes in its favor are estimated to reach more than 60 percent," he added.

The Aburizal Bakrie-led Golkar Party as the leader of the KMP has opposed the Perppu that was issued by former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to annul the Pilkada law that mandates an indirect election of regional leaders, following protests from various quarters.

Parliament, which is now controlled by the KMP that supported Prabowo Subianto in the presidential election on July 9, will soon meet to discuss whether to accept or reject the Perppu.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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