The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Representatives of seven political parties announced the establishment of an inclusive forum called the Indonesian Political Parties Dialog Community on Thursday, to promote democratic values in the country.
The seven parties are the Golkar Party, the United Development Party (PPP), the Democratic Party (PD), the National Awakening Party (PKB), the National Mandate Party (PAN), the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).
The idea for the forum came about after representatives of the parties met with representatives of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, a foundation set up by seven major Dutch political parties, in The Hague, last April.
Last April's meeting in the Netherlands, Thursday's establishment of the communication forum and the forum's planned activities in the future have all been facilitated by the Indonesian Community for Democracy (KID).
""We regard the (April) visit as a precedent for cooperation between political parties of both countries. However, we are aware that in order to establish a comprehensive partnership with political parties of other nations, we must first set up solid cooperation among our own national parties,"" KID chairman Ignas Kleden told a media conference.
Anas Urbaningrum of the Democratic Party expressed hope the forum would serve to develop new ideas that would help create a more stable democratic life in the country.
""This forum will provide a breakthrough for parties to think about matters beyond their parties' interests,"" he said.
""We don't want to be trapped in short-term political interests, like the 2009 and 2014 elections, the gubernatorial, the legislative or even the presidential elections. We realize the importance of the future of democracy in this country.
""We can also find ways to improve the capacity of our political parties and individual politicians through this forum.""
Ignas said: ""Ethically, (forum) members must be able to resist pursuing the interests of their own parties. KID, as the forum facilitator, will supervise the dialogs.""
""This forum aims at improving our democracy. If later in the day, permanent coalitions emerge as a result of the dialogs, that won't be a problem,"" said Firman Soebagyo of the Golkar Party.
He said the forum was open to other political parties besides the seven founding members.
Fitra Arsil of the Prosperous Justice Party said discussions had to be held not just between the seven parties, but also with other parties interested in improving the country's democracy.
KID, established in September 2004, has run a program funded by the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, called the School of Democracy, for the last two years in five regencies across Indonesia.
These are Musi Banyuasin in South Sumatra, Tangerang in Banten, Malang in East Java, Jeneponto in South Sulawesi and Lewoleba in East Nusa Tenggara.
KID's School of Democracy aims to promote democratic principles, values and skills to active politicians, members of political organizations, members of the business community and civil society institutions. (07)
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