Golkar ready to meet Yudhoyono to discuss coalition

The Golkar Party says it is ready to meet President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to discuss its membership in the ruling coalition, after its views clashed several times with other members, but in particular with Yudhoyono's Democratic Party. 

Head of the Golkar faction, Setya Novanto, said his party was waiting for Yudhoyono's call. 

"We have no problem with that. The sooner the better, to prevent continuing debate about the coalition problems," Setya said Thursday, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com. 

He added that Golkar had held an internal meeting to work out its stance and decided it had not conducted any violations of its membership, despite differing opinions on a proposed House inquiry into corrupt practices in the tax office. 

Golkar, along with the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), supported the proposal, while the Democratic Party and other members of the coalition -- the National Mandate Party (PAN), the majority of the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the United Development Party (PPP) -- opposed it. 

The rift has caused widespread speculation about the future of the coalition. 

Setya said the meeting with the President might be carried out sometime in the next two days.