TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Democrat Party spokesman, Ruhut Sitompul, asserted that his party had been approached by many parties, including Golkar, for a coalition. However, the meeting with Golkar was only an assessment. "We have not merged," he said yesterday.
He admitted there was an opinion that the Democrats could pioneer a new coalition. However, Ruhut said that, "we do not want to rush it."
According to Ruhut, Democrat Party Chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, was still favored by the people. He said that the party could field a presidential candidate. On April 26, the Democrat Party will finalize its selection of a presidential from among the convention.
Suaidi Marasabessy, Democrat Supervisory Board secretary, said before that his party was evaluating a number of possibilities. "Should we join an existing coalition or not join any," he asked rhetorically.
SBY said during a press conference last week that he would do a final survey at the end of April to determine the next political move. According to SBY, the survey was to decide whether they would have their own presidential candidate or support another party's candidate.
Meanwhile, Fadel Muhammad, Golkar deputy chairman, said that the party already had partners to ally with the Prosperity and Justice Party (PKS) and the People's Conscience (Hanura). They have held several meetings and the coalition announcement will be done in a few days. "We are building a nationalist-religious coalition," Fadel said.
However, Hanura Election Board secretary, Ahmad Rofiq, said that there was no official decision to partner with Golkar as yet. "We have communicated with each other, but officially there should be a discussion within the party first," he said yesterday.
APRILIANI GITA FITRIA | AMRI MAHBUB | MOHAMMAD SYARRAFAH | IRA GUSLINA SUFA | FRANSISCO ROSARIANS