P

olitical parties are expediting their work to prepare for the Dec. 9 simultaneous regional elections as the deadline for candidate registration is in three weeks.

In their attempt to nominate candidates for elections in 269 regions, parties have launched their own initiatives to look for candidates, from involving external agents to setting up programs to train candidates for local head positions.

The ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has established its own '€œSekolah Partai'€ (party school) to train candidates.

For the program, the party has dispatched some of its rising stars, including Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini, to train candidates on how to govern effectively.

Some parties have also assessed the strengths and weaknesses of parties they could form coalitions with, a process that could render the current political division, between the ruling Great Indonesia Coalition and the opposition Red-and-White Coalition, obsolete.

'€œMutual interests will be the base of our partnership in the local elections. We will collaborate with any party that can secure strong support in certain areas. We welcome offers from any party in the regions that has a strong presence,'€ Spokesperson of the Islamic-based United Development Party (PPP), Arsul Sani, said on Tuesday.

Politicians from other parties have also said that the political division at the national level would not apply in local politics as parties could choose their partners freely.

But many are wary of the prospect of forming a coalition with PPP and the Golkar Party.

'€œIt'€™s a bit difficult to endorse candidates from Golkar and PPP without certainty [over how their disputes will end],'€ Democratic Party spokesperson Andi Nurpati said.

Currently, PPP and Golkar are beset by internal conflict over who should take leadership of the parties.

Andi said that the Democratic Party has required Golkar and PPP to issue recommendations for their respective members who had high electability ratings in several regions, such as in West Java and East Java, so that the Democratic Party election team could start to work with them without having to wait for the final resolution of the conflicts.

Senior Golkar politician Yorry Raweyai said that supporters of both rival leaders in Golkar '€“ Aburizal Bakrie and Agung Laksono '€“ were committed to pursuing win-win solutions.

'€œWe have set up a joint team of 10 individuals equally representing both factions. We are jointly recruiting candidates for the election and discussing other issues, including finance. And we are committed to get on with this,'€ Yorrys said.

In spite of the joint effort, several Golkar lawmakers at the House of Representatives have called for a postponement of the Dec. 9 elections, citing lack of budget.

Despite calls for a postponement, Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo reiterated the government'€™s commitment to pressing ahead with its plan to hold the elections in December.

'€œWe are ready. Security measures will also be in place given that lack of funding can be discussed later [to find a solution],'€ Tjahjo said at the State Palace.