G

olkar Party chairman Aburizal Bakrie has been crowned with a customary title in Lampung, which is seen by political observers as part of his strategy in the lead up to the 2014 presidential elections.

Aburizal, who is a prominent figure from Lampung, received the title from Governor Sjachroedin Z.P, who is also chairman of Lampung’s Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), at the governor’s official residence on Monday.

The business tycoon, who has built his corporate network through PT Bakrie, was bestowed the title of Settan Rajo Perkasa Alam while his wife, Tatty Murnitriati Bakrie, was given the title Settan Ratu Mahkota Alam.

For Lampung residents who are less acquainted with politics, Aburizal deserved the title because he was a Lampung native who had been successful in Jakarta.

However, for those in Lampung aware of the political terrain, the event was seen as an effort at reconciliation between the PDI-P and Golkar, two of the country’s biggest parties.

“Lampung residents tend to vote for people from Lampung, so the customary title for Aburizal can be interpreted as support by ethnic Lampung residents for Aburizal to run in the 2014 election,” political observer Jauhari Zaelani said.

He added that locals would shrug off their internal conflicts and unite to gain power.

“The regional autonomy era has become a blessing for people from the Lampung ethnic group. Now, 99 percent of the regional heads in Lampung, from the governor to mayors and regents, are native Lampung residents. Many of the Lampung elites still have a sense of ethnic solidarity and regard the Javanese as colonizers,” he said.

A rift among party elites, especially in Lampung, emerged when Alzier Dianis Thabranie, chairman of Lampung’s Golkar branch, won the gubernatorial election in 2002, but was overruled by then president Megawati Soekarnowati.

The conflict was originally a personal feud between Sjachroedin, who was eventually elected as Lampung governor in a repeat election in 2004, and Alzier.

“Reconciliation is just part of the goal. The real target is the 2014 presidential election. There are no problems despite the fact that Sjachroedin is currently the Lampung PDI-P head,” Jauhari said.

Sjachroedin said the title was not related to the presidential election.

“This is a typical customary title award,” Sjachroedin said.

Lampung University political observer Arizka Warganegara said the title was part of Aburizal’s strategy to garner support from Lampung.

“Golkar’s political machine is currently weak after suffering a series of election losses. That’s why Ical needs to seek support from his home village,” said Arizka.

Not only the title, but business opportunities have also been granted to Aburizal through two mega projects — expanding Radin Inten II Airport as a haj departure terminal and the Kota Baru project in Jatiagung, South Lampung.

“Pak Ical [through the Bakrie Group] has signed a memorandum of understanding with the provincial administration to develop Radin Inten Airport for tourism and integrated industrial zone,” Sjachroedin said.