Coalition door still open for Gerindra: Democratic Party

A member of the Democratic Party’s central executive board, Achmad Mubarok, said Sunday that the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) still had a chance of joining the ruling coalition.

Mubarok said the Democratic Party’s chief patron, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, was still waiting for the right time to meet with Gerindra party patron Prabowo Subianto.

“[They] just haven't connected,” he said, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

The statement came as a response to Gerindra secretary-general Ahmad Muzani's dim view of his party's chances of joining the coalition. Muzani said earlier today that a statement made by state secretary Sudi Silalahi made it clear that Gerindra was not entertaining any offers to join the ruling coalition any time soon.

Sudi had previously said there would not be a cabinet reshuffle in the near future.

Many expected that Gerindra would be offered a place in the coalition after the party sided with the Democratic Party in rejecting a proposed tax graft inquiry committee at the House of Representatives.

Gerindra reportedly has requested their politicians replace the Agriculture Minister and the State Enterprises Minister.

Mubarok refuted on Sunday claims that his party considered Gerindra's requirement far too high for Yudhoyono and the Democratic Party.

“No. We'll see,” he said.