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Parties shift balance
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Staunch supporters: Golkar Party chairman Setya Novanto (left) and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri shake hands at the latter’s house on Jl. Teuku Umar in Central Jakarta on Sunday. The two leaders have reaffirmed their support for non-active Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama in the Feb. 15 election despite his status as a suspect (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
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op leaders of the country’s two-biggest political parties — Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri and Golkar Party chairman Setya Novanto — met on Sunday as the nation’s political landscape appears to be shifting balance amid sustained tensions centering on a blasphemy case involving incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.
Megawati, however, did not face the press after the two-hour closed-door meeting at the former president’s residence in Menteng, Central Jakarta.
“As government coalition parties, [PDI-P and Golkar] have to help create a calm and peaceful situation,” PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto said when asked if the meeting was connected to a possible shake-up in the government coalition.
Setya said he sought input and advice from Megawati, whose party is the main supporter of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s administration.
“It’s a silaturahmi [friendly meeting] between pro-government parties. […] we are committed to ensuring the country’s plurality and diversity. We must promote peace and prevent moves that threaten our unity,” Setya said.
Like Jokowi, Setya has intensified his political tour, especially after the two had a closed-door meeting at the State Palace on Thursday.
Later on Thursday, Setya met with Surya Paloh, chairman of the NasDem Party, which is also a member of the government coalition. Surya said the one-hour meeting resulted in a commitment to maintain national spirit and pluralism.
Setya was previously accused of ethical misconduct in negotiations involving a major mining firm. Following the case, Setya resigned from his position as House of Representatives speaker. He then won the Golkar chairmanship race, after which he declared the party a government supporter.
The series of recent political moves by the country’s top politicians have sparked speculation that another coalition shake-up might be imminent.
Political observer Ray Rangkuti of the Lingkar Madani Foundation said the Anti-Ahok Nov. 4 large-scale rally had let Jokowi “see who his real friends are”.
“The meetings must go beyond talking about diversity. All of them were certainly angered by the three parties,” he added.
Ray was referring to the National Mandate Party (PAN), United Development Party (PPP) and National Awakening Party (PKB), whose elites were among the demonstrators in front of the palace on Nov. 4.
Their participation in the rally raised questions regarding their “loyalty” to the government coalition, especially following suggestions that political actors aiming to undermine the government were behind the protest.
PDI-P executive Andreas Hugo Pareira signaled that a coalition shake-up was possible.
“There has never been a truly permanent coalition in Indonesian politics. In fact, there’s actually no coalition. Right now there is temporary cooperation among parties,” Andreas said.
PPP secretary-general Arsul Sani shrugged off the speculation, saying its cooperation with the Democratic Party was limited to the Jakarta election. “ The PPP will continue on as a government loyalist,” he said.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people gathered on Saturday at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta to conduct a “unity in diversity” parade.
NGO Cahaya Guru Foundation is among organizations promoting unity amid religious tensions.
“We realize that our efforts might not be enough to answer the big challenges in promoting nationalism,” Cahaya Guru chairwoman Henny Supolo Sitepu said at an event held to mark International Tolerance Day at the National Museum in Central Jakarta on Saturday.
In Lima, Vice President Jusuf Kalla appreciated the initiative of the march.
“We should keep in mind that we should also maintain unity by not mocking differences,” Jusuf said in Lima on the sidelines of the APEC summit on Saturday. (fac/vny)
— Haeril Halim contributed to the story from Lima, Peru
