SPECULATION ARISING ON PDIP-PD COALITION ATTEMPT

 By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 7 (ANTARA) - Speculations are now arising that the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) and the Democratic Party (PD) are approaching each other to build a coalition, but leaders of both parties have denied it.

        Public speculation arose following a visit to PDIP leader Megawati Soekarnoputri by Minister/State Secretary Hatta Rajasa on Wednesday which was seen as part of an approach by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the PD's chief patron, to cooperate with the PDIP.

        "There is no special political deal between the PD and PDIP now," PD associate chairman Andi Mallarangeng said after attending a discussion on democracy here on Thursday.

        The same denial was also made by PDIP secretary general Pramono Anung Wibowo. "They only discussed matters which are more important to the interest of the people and the nation than mere a matter of who would be presidential and vice presidential candidates in the upcoming July 8 2009 presidential race," Anung said.

        According to Andi Mallarangeng, his party up to now has no special political deal with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP). However, he said that his party was pursuing open doors for a coalition with any political parties.

        "The Democratic Party is a friend of all political parties, including PDIP. We always open our arms for all parties so that there would be no enemies, only friends," he said.

        The Democratic Party is always open to reconciliation. "If their leaders are ready to reconcile, the people will be happy," he added. For this purpose, the Democratic Party would always build a communication with other parties to develop an effective government, Andi said.

        In the meantime, PDIP secretary general Pramono Anung denied that the meeting between Megawati and Hatta Radjasa discussed a chance for a PDIP cadre to become a vice presidential candidate for the Democratic Party.

        PDIP admitted it was witnessing in recent days intensive political lobbying by a number of political parties in the runup to the nomination their presidential and vice presidential tickets. "We are also having such lobbying with a number of political parties through closed-door meetings. In this way, we can discuss many issues with other political party leaders," he said.

        He said that apart from the Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), PDIP would also build political communications with other parties in an effort to find the best step and decision in the face of the upcoming presidential polls.

        Anung said that up to now, PDIP was still consistent with the results of its congress and national working meeting to nominate one name as a presidential hopeful, namely PDIP leader Megawati Soekarnoputri. Thus, he denied that PDIP was preparing an alternative candidate.

        "Up to now, there is no other scenario. PDIP continues to support Megawati's presidential candidacy in the coming presidential race," he said.

        Media reports said that PDIP and PD were approaching with each other to explore a coalition. Three names were offered to be selected as a vice presidential candidate to accompany Yudhyono as his running mate, namely Puan Maharani (daughter of Megawati), Pramono Anung Wibowo and Boediono (now governor of the central bank).

        It was also speculated that a position as member of presidential advisory council was offered to Megawati Soekarnoputri while Tuafiq Kiemas (PDIP chief patron) was offered a position as chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). Besides, the PD also offered six cabinet ministerial posts for other PDIP cadres.

        In response to the public speculation, secretary of PDIP faction in the House of Representatives Ganjar Pranowo said he had no knowledge about the matter but had learned it from newspapers. He said if the report was true it must still be an idea, as a decision had to be taken in a national leadership meeting.

        The possibility of PDIP and PD to coalesce was also refuted by Wiranto, chairman of the People's Conscience Party (Hanura). PDIP will be consistent with its stand to remain as opposition in parliament and would not coalesce with PD, Wiranto who is also vice presidential hopeful of the Golkar Party and Hanura said.

        "Meetings and political communications are normal things in politics. PDIP is still consistent with its stand to become an opposition in parliament," Wiranto said referring to Megawati - Hatta meeting on Wednesday.

        He said that PIDP, Golkar, Hanura, Gerindra and other parties had agreed to build a grand coalition in parliament and there was no information yet that PDIP had quit the coalition. "If PDIP quit the grand coalition and intended to join the Democratic Party, it has to let us know first. But up to now, PDIP is still consistent with the grand coalition," he said.

        According to Ganjar Pranowo, secretary of PDIP faction in the House, it is difficult to unite PDIP chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri and Democratic Party Advisory Board chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono but political interests could well become an overriding factor.

        After all, PD admitted that it never considered PDIP as an "enemy" but as a "sparring partner" in building democracy and promoting the nation's progress. Anas Urbaningrum, another PD associate chairman for political affairs, said his party had always been pursuing an "open door" policy towards other parties.

        "Therefore, communication between PD and PDIP figures had never been cut off although there is political competition between the two parties," he said. ***1*** (T.A014/H-NG/A/H-YH) (T.A014/A/A014/A/H-YH) 07-05-2009 23:21:25