"A political force, often called an opposition, which keeps a close watch on the functioning of a government, must exist although the term opposition is used in a parliamentary government system," he said here recently.
However, Setiyono, a political adviser to Myanmarese opposition politician Aung San Suu Kyi, noted that two political parties in the KMP, the Golkar and PPP, were currently hit by internal conflicts.
The two parties have been split between those who want to remain in the KMP and those who want to join the ruling Great Indonesian Coalition (KIH).
He expressed hope that regardless of its status or the number of political parties it has, the KMP will survive.
"What is most important is the existence of a group of political parties that will function as a checks-and-balances force, regardless of their names or strength in numbers," he stated.
Without any opposition group, a government will become tyrannical and that will disadvantage the public, he added.
"An opposition force must exist, although it has only two political parties for members. Number does not matter much, as long as the KMP fights for the people," he stressed.
"Reward and punishment will be part of general elections. Good political parties will be supported by the public, while bad and inconsistent ones will be left behind," he added.
The Jakarta Globe daily recently reported that Padjadjaran University political lecturer Deddy Mulyana agreed that the government most probably meddled in the internal affairs of the Golkar and the PPP, but blamed the parties members for rifts for grabbing power.
"Seeking power is among the most basic characteristics of any political party. Thats why weve often heard the saying that there are no eternal friends or eternal foes in politics, only eternal interests," Deddy remarked.
(Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
