‘Golden Triangle’ tantamount to break up

With a string of quick count results showing the Democratic Party winning the election so far, the pride of the “Golden Triangle” coalition is now seriously facing the threat of collapse.

This coalition consists of the Golkar Party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the United Development Party (PPP), the only parties in existence during the Soeharto era.
Andrinof Chaniago, a political expert from the University of Indonesia, said Sunday the Golkar Party and the PPP would likely “merge” with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s Democratic Party for the presidential race.

“No political parties are ready to become the opposition, including Golkar and the PPP. The two parties will coalesce with the Democratic Party,” he said.

“Golkar and the PPP still heavily rely on funding sources from the government.”

PPP chairman Suryadharma Ali met with Vice President Jusuf Kalla, also chairman of Golkar, at the latter’s residence Sunday.

The PPP said as the Democratic Party has secured the most votes, according to the unofficial election tally, it had considered quitting the Golden Triangle coalition.

As of Sunday, the official Center for Votes Tabulation had recorded a total 1.49 million votes, with the Democratic Party taking the lead with around 20 percent. Golkar came second trailed by the PDI-P, with about 14 percent.

The official vote tally will be announced by the General Elections Commission (KPU) on May 9.
PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri met chairman of the People’s Conscience (Hanura) Party Wiranto and Greater Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party Prabowo Subianto on Sunday.
PDI-P chief patron Taufik Kiemas said his party was ready to form a coalition with the two newcomers — Hanura and Gerindra.

Gerindra and Hanura are so far ranked eight and ninth in the election results, with around 4.5 and 3.5 percent of votes, respectively.

Taufik said whether or not a coalition with the Golkar Party was possible would be decided Wednesday.

The PDI-P has decided to nominate its chairwoman Megawati as its presidential candidate, but stated it would not name a vice-presidential candidate until after the elections.

The presidential election is scheduled for July 8, 2009. Only parties or coalitions with a minimum 20 percent of seats at the House of Representatives or 25 percent of the popular vote will be eligible to nominate a presidential candidate.

Earlier, several parties including the Democratic Party and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) set up a so-called “Golden Bridge” coalition to challenge the Golden Triangle.

Democratic Party executive Anas Urbaningrum has said his party was looking to form a strong coalition at the House, one that could possibly control up to 70 percent of seats at the legislature.

Crescent Star Party (PBB) chairman MS Kaban, who is also the forestry minister, said his party was ready to form a coalition with the Democratic Party.

“The PBB as a political party is ready to continue our coalition with the Democratic Party,” he said to Antara.

Earlier, Yudhoyono floated the idea of a written contract with any political party wishing to form a coalition.

According to all the quick count results, the PBB failed to win the required 2.5 percent of votes to be able to place its candidates in the House.