JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) delivered a clear statement that they have no interest to form a coalition with Golkar Party and the Muslim-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) ahead of and after the elections.

Deputy Secretary General of PDI-P Eriko Sotarduga told the press on Monday (March 24) that PDI-P would welcome PKS to be the opposition party if PDI-P and its presidential hopeful, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, won the legislative and presidential elections.

PDI-P is now trying to understand to what PKS has been building its political maneuvers within the current ruling coalition of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY).

A day earlier, another PDI-P executive Maruarar Sirait, meanwhile, stated firmly that absolutely PDI-P would not form a coalition with Golkar as Golkar will have its own presidential hopeful.

Maruarar even challenges Golkar to act as the opposition party if PDI-P won the presidential race. Golkar is now part of current ruling coalition of Democrat Party.

PDI-P also thinks that a coalition with other political parties is needed to strengthen Jokowi’s administration if he really won the presidency.

PDI-P has consistently acted as the opposition party outside of President SBY’s administration for ten years. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)