The stark differences are evident between the opposition block and the government’s coalition of parties, with even the latter experiencing conflicting interests.

The opposition, led by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), want a thorough investigation into the possible flow of funds from Century to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s inner circle.

The PDI-P’s Maruarar Sirait said his party would assign the most informed legislators to the inquiry committee to ensure the investigation would go all the way, and not just target Finance Minister Sri Mulyani and Vice President Boediono.

The coalition parties, however, have different objectives: mostly to increase their bargaining power and bring down Sri Mulyani or Boediono, who they see as stumbling blocks to their goals, analysts say.

Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) analyst Burhanuddin Muhtadi said it would work in the coalition parties’ favor if either Mulyani or Boediono, or both, were dismissed in the Century fallout, as neither was well-liked by the parties.

“They’ll be happy if the investigation stops at Mulyani and Boediono, considering their strained relationship in the past,” he said as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

The coalition partners include the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the National Mandate Party (PAN), the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the United Development Party (PPP).

The Golkar Party, meanwhile, will seize on the Century case to increase the bargaining power of its chairman Aburizal Bakrie, analysts say, as the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is currently investigating a graft case that took place during his tenure as coordinating minister for the economy.

Aburizal is also seen a strong contender to contest the 2014 presidential election.

Analysts also believe Aburizal will use the Century case to attack Mulyani, who once refused to intervene when his coal mining giant Bumi Resources took a pummeling in the stock market.

Aburizal, however, has denied all speculation that he is out for revenge against Mulyani.

“We need to watch out for possible sabotage from inside the inquiry team,” said Golkar legislator Bambang Soesatyo, referring to the Democratic Party.

Ruhut Sitompul, from Yudhoyono’s Democratic Party, said his party would not block the investigation by creating backroom deals with other parties, accusing the PDI-P and Golkar of having ulterior motives.

“I guarantee the Democratic Party doesn’t have any political deals in the case,” he said, ignoring the fact that the party had initially opposed the inquiry.

The PKS is considered the most undecided coalition member, but PKS lawmaker Mahfud Siddiq said the party fully supported the inquiry.

“We want to make the Century case as clear as possible. We don’t want the public to think that coalition parties also received funding from Century,” he said.

Political analyst Arbi Sanit said all parties were after something through the guise of the inquiry, particularly the Democratic Party, which he said wanted to protect Yudhoyono.

“The party only agreed on the inquiry as long as it didn’t touch their boss, and the coalition parties are playing along because they need to protect their interests in the government,” he said.

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