PDI-P builds major coalition in West Java towards 2009 polls

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Fri, 04/11/2008 12:32 PM  |  National

An internal rift over its governor candidate in West Java proved beneficial for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which emerged from the spat with a major coalition of parties that paves the way for its run in the 2009 national elections.

The party's decision to delist provincial party chairman Rudy Harsya Tanaya and nominate former transportation minister Agum Gumelar as governor candidate and incumbent deputy governor Nu'man Abdul Hakim as his running mate, allowed the PDI-P to build a coalition with the United Development Party (PPP) and National Awakening Party (PKB).

Together, the parties control 42 percent of seats in the provincial and regency/municipal legislative councils.

The rift emerged when Agum was nominated by the PPP, but declined to run with Rudi.

Observers say Agum "manipulated" the opposition to Rudy, who is ethnic Chinese, among the predominantly Muslim Sundanese.

Aware that "only interests ever last in politics", PDI-P accepted the nomination of Agum and Golkar Party figure Nu'man to pursue its long-term goals in the 2009 elections.

The three political parties had no difficulty raising Rp 13 billion from the candidates and donors to fund their campaign. The Rp 13 billion was only half of Agum's fortune reported to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Agum, who returns to his home province after his failures in the 2004 presidential election and 2007 Jakarta gubernatorial election, said his top priority was to eradicate poverty and boost investment to create new jobs and improve the people's living standards.

"If elected, we have to move fast to develop West Java to catch up with other provinces," he said, adding Nu'man was an ideal running mate for carrying out his programs.

Nu'man's long experience in the bureaucracy is seen as an asset in getting the pair's programs passed if elected.

Nu'man, a former journalist and Golkar members, is expected to be a vote-getter representing the PPP and PKB in their strongholds, including at Islamic boarding schools, in Bandung, Cianjur, Sukabumi, Tasikmalaya, Ciamis, Indramayu, Cirebon, Majalengka and Bogor.

When asked about the issue of West Java's northern coastal areas, which generally lag in development and have demanded separation from the province, Agum vowed to focus on development programs in the region.

The regencies of Subang, Karawang, Majalengka, Cirebon and Indramayu, which are PDI-P strongholds, have stated their desire to form a separate province.

According to two surveys conducted by the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) over the past year, Agum is the most popular and recognizable of all the candidates in the election.

The public awareness level of Agum, according to the surveys, reached 78 percent, just ahead of PAN's Dede Yusuf (74 percent) and far ahead of Golkar's Danny Setiawan (47 percent).

Of 1,000 respondents surveyed, 48.5 percent said they would vote for Agum and Nu'man, and 25 percent for Danny and his running mate, Iwan Sulanjana. Seventeen percent said they would vote for the pair of Ahmad and Yusuf, while 9.8 percent said they were undecided or would not vote.

PDI-P sees the race in West Java as a strategic step toward its success in the legislative and presidential elections in 2009.

The party says victory in the province also will give it a boost going into upcoming governor races in Central and East Java, and in the 2009 general elections, since Java is home to 63 percent of the country's 230 million people.

Andreas Parera, a PDI-P legislator and member of Agum's campaign team, agreed that a victory for his candidate would give the party a head start in the legislative and presidential elections.

"Despite the victory on paper, the political machine continues working to achieve the maximum yield. This race will be a decisive factor for our victories in the governor races in Central and East Java in the coming months," he said.

EYEBOX

Governor candidate Vice governor candidate
1. Name Agum Gumelar Nu'man Abdul Hakim
2. Place/Date of Birth Tasikmalaya, 1945 Bandung, 1953
3. Residence Jakarta Bandung
4. Education Army academy Islamic Teaching
Institute
5. Organizations ex-chairman of PSSI Golkar Party

and KONI 6. Last position ex-minister of

transportation incumbent vice governor
7. Vision : Build a united West Java
8. Mission:

-develop highly competitive human resources

-conserve the environment

-develop the education, agriculture and health sectors

-repair damaged infrastructure to lure foreign investors

-eradicate corruption and maintain religious tolerance. ============================================================= Introduction:

A first-ever direct gubernatorial election in West Java will take place Sunday. Three governor candidates -- Danny Setiawan, Agum Gumelar and Ahmad Heryawan -- and their running mates are contesting the election. The Jakarta Post's Yuli Trisuwarni and Ridwan Max Sijabat take a look at the candidates and their programs. ===============================================================

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