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PKS, PKB explore potential alliance, but doubts remain
Although they are considered to be on opposite sides of the political spectrum, the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) are considering collaborating in the next election.
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Members of Nahdlatul Ulama join a declaration event in Banyuwangi, East Java on Feb, 17, 2018, to support National Awakening Party (PKB) chairman Muhaimin Iskandar as a vice-presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections. Muhaiman has nominated himself as a potential presidential candidate for the 2024 general elections. (Antara/Budi Candra Setya)
The National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) have floated the idea of potentially forming a coalition together, unifying moderate and conservative Muslims in what analysts believe could be an effective political machine. However, doubts remain whether the two sides will actually commit as partners for the 2024 general elections, given their differences.
With election season soon entering into full swing, political parties are busy considering their options in anticipation of a much shorter campaign period, which would give early partnerships a head start over undecided parties.
Last week, PKS secretary-general Aboe Bakar Alhabsyi told reporters that the party had entered into talks with Nahdlatul Ulama-linked PKB after announcing it was open to prospective partnerships for the next elections.
“As it turns out, Cak Imin [PKB chairman Muhaimin Iskandar] responded, and the next day we had a dialogue. For the PKS, we are especially open [to collaborating] with PKB,” Aboe Bakar told reporters on Thursday.
Aboe Bakar said he hoped the alliance would become the third axis to the United Indonesia Coalition (KIB) – which groups together the Golkar Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the United Development Party (PPP) – and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI-P), which is able to nominate election candidates on its own based on the number of seats it has in the legislature.
A presumptive coalition between PKS and PKB makes up 18 percent of seats in the House of Representatives, which means they need one more political party to join so they meet the 20 percent of seats threshold required to nominate a presidential and vice-presidential candidate.
Aboe Bakar said the parties are open to welcoming any additional partner, including NasDem and the Democratic Party. Despite hinting at backing certain candidates, he said they would seek a compromise if they do join up.
