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em>Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto talked about the party'€™s strategy as part of the ruling government, including its relations with President Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo, in a recent interview with The Jakarta Post'€™s Margareth S. Aritonang. The following are excerpts:

Question: How does the PDI-P rate the performance of the Jokowi administration?

Answer: It would be fairer to ask others instead of the PDI-P. Being a part of the government is a learning process for us. We are learning to understand that we must work together with other parties at the DPR [House of Representatives] and we must actively support the government.

We are learning to set priorities that are in line with the interests of the party as well as the government and we are also learning to be really present among the people so that the PDI-P can truly fulfill the public'€™s expectations.

The PDI-P has often emphasized the pattern of communications with the government. How did it work?

We'€™ve learned that it is quite a challenge to be part of the government. There was indeed a dynamic in our relationship with the government in the past. Political consolidation, particularly at the DPR, did not run smoothly. The internal infightings within the Golkar Party and the PPP [United Development Party], as well as the unexpectedly strengthened distinctions of the political coalitions [the ruling Great Indonesia Coalition and the opposition Red-and-White Coalition] had obstructed our consolidation with the Jokowi-JK [Jusuf Kalla] administration.

The PDI-P attempts to be more active in garnering support at the DPR. We also want to be more active in proposing ideas for the government to improve its performance. We, for example, actively held discussions with experts as soon as surveys revealed the public'€™s dissatisfaction the government'€™s work, particularly on the economy.

The PDI-P is fully aware of its position as a ruling party, so besides making efforts to consolidate internally in order to be more effective, we are also reaching out to the legislative institution and government to collaborate in making policies.

The PDI-P will continue its role as a ruling party. We want to become an efficient supporter of the government instead of a burden.

Do you prefer the two coalition powers to dissolve?

The two coalitions were only needed as a means of campaigning during the presidential election [last year]. Our democracy does not recognize opposition parties. It does acknowledge non-government parties, although in practice all parties at the DPR sit down together and collaborate.

Communications among parties in terms of discussing legislation and budgeting has become more fluid. Meanwhile, political parties and the government have been able to have better mutual understanding.

But the PDI-P fully respects parties that are outside and ensures that their rights are equally guaranteed. However, it is better for them to remain a balancing power in order to ensure that accountability and transparency are upheld.

Will more parties be involved in the administration in order to fully secure support from the legislative institution?

Pak Jokowi can run the government with support from the current small group of supporters at the House, although not without negotiations and dialogue with the rest. Of course there must be give-and-take.

Pak Jokowi possesses full authority over his Cabinet. It depends on them [the Cabinet members] whether to involve more party representatives.

However, the PDI-P prefers more professionals involved in the Cabinet. Therefore, the foreseeable Cabinet reshuffle must aim to boost performance instead of merely accommodating more parties in exchange for support to avoid further political risks.

Will the PDI-P welcome more parties into the Cabinet?

In principle, the government must work effectively to face the challenges ahead. Thus, if we are asked such a question, we will of course highly emphasize the track records and capabilities, as well as the competence of the candidate ministers instead of focusing on the political support they will bring for the government.

The fight will be too heavy if we only pay attention to political accommodation and neglect the competence of ministers and we have told Pak Jokowi about this.

What is the ideal relationship between the President and the parties that endorse him according to the PDI-P? Do you agree that the President'€™s loyalty to the party must end when his loyalty to the state begins?

It is wrong. [Ending the loyalty to the party] means creating a distance. This country belongs to all, not to individuals. It was built by collective strength.

As a party, we strongly reject such a notion because political parties also have role in making the nation great. Parties are the assets of the state. Parties are also committed to the nation.

The PDI-P hails the rules as the foundation of its relationship with the President. We have said that we are committed to realize the Trisakti'€™s values reflected in the Nawacita [Jokowi-JK'€™s priority programs]. All are committed to uphold the idea as an ideology, but we still need enhance coordination to realize it through significant policies.

The PDI-P is responsible for uniting all political power at the DPR and to communicate strategic issues with the government.

On a higher hierarchical level, the relationship involves Ibu Megawati Soekarnoputri [party chairwoman] and Pak Jokowi. This relationship defines the standard for policymaking.