PDI-P secretary general appreciates ideas about coalition with Dems

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) secretary-general, Pramono Anung, says all ideas from all party members regarding the party’s political stance must be taken into consideration.

“What TK [Taufik Kiemas, PDI-P chief patron] has been saying recently is part of the democratic process. However, the final decision about the party’s future stance will be decided in the upcoming congress by the elected chairperson,” he told reporters at the House of Representatives in Jakarta on Monday.

Tufik Kiemas has issued a statement saying that it would be wiser for the PDI-P to establish an “ideological alliance” with its old foe, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s Democratic Party.

Taufik’s position is completely different to that of his wife, Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is also the party chairwoman. Megawati and her supporters are determined to maintain an opposition stance.

However, several members of the PDI-P and close associates of Yudhoyono have given signals to one another that they consider Taufik’s ideas not so bad after all.