Golkar inches closer to PDIP, plans more meetings ahead

Dicky Christanto ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 04/23/2009 11:25 PM  |  National

Top Golkar Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) officials revealed Thursday evening that significant progress has been made on the two parties' plan to build a coalition together.

"We are glad to announce that right now the two chairpersons of both parties are ready to conduct more serious discussions on the will to build a solid front in facing the country's problems ahead," PDIP's advisory board head Taufik Kiemas said.

Led by Kiemas, a team comprising PDIP’s top brass including Megawati's daughter Puan Maharani, Pramono Anung, PDIP's Central Board head Panda Nababan and PDIP's presidential election winning team head Theo Syafei had set off for Golkar Party chairman Jusuf Kalla's residence to discuss potential coalition maneuvers.

"This meeting is aimed at exchanging each other's thoughts and interests in facing the upcoming presidential election," Kalla said.

The incumbent vice president, however, had refused to elaborate on the details of the meeting, saying that further discussions were to be expected on Friday.

He added that Friday’s meeting would be a private one involving only Kalla and Megawati without interference from other party officials.

"Both leaders would be able to spend quality time together in discussing the country's priorities," Kalla added.

Golkar has recently shifted its coalition preference for the PDIP after announcing it would no longer be supporting the Democratic Party in the upcoming presidential elections.

 

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.