PDI-P politicians don't want money to be the main reason for joining Dems

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Hans David Tampubolon, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 03/19/2010 5:52 PM |

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Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politicians say that financial benefits must not be used to justify a decision to join President Susilo Bambang Yudhyonos coalition bloc, which is led by his Democratic Party.

Financial problem is only a technical short-term issue that has nothing to do with our ideology, PDI-P politician Eva Kusuma Sundari told The Jakarta Post via a text message on Friday.

"To solve that problem, it takes creativity. We must not let a short-term temptation divert us from our main goal. It does not make sense to use finance reasonings as our partys main strategy opposition for victory. Party leaders must look to the long-term future," she added.

Fellow party member Budiman Sudjatmiko said that PDI-Ps national congress in April would discuss the issue on joining the governments bloc and would decide the partys final stance.

The main thing that will be discussed is whether the reasoning to join in the coalition is based on an ideological reason or just a mere pragmatic reason, he said.

As of now, Bu Mega [PDI-P Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri] still insists on maintaining her opposition stance, he added.