Democrat, Red-White Coalition to be Balancing Power for New Govt

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Democrat Party said on Tuesday that, along with other parties that supported Prabowo Subianto in the July 9 presidential election, it would become a balancing power for the new Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla government.

"What is clear is that the Democrat Party is a balancing party. So it is good if parties in the Red-White coalition state that they will become a balancing power. That is the core issue (discussed in the meeting)," Syarief Hasan, executive chairman of the Democrat Party, said after meeting -- along with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who is Democrat Party general chairman -- of leaders and functionaries of the Red-White coalition member parties that supported the Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa pair.

Being a balancing power means the Democrat Party would be outside the government, but not an opposition party.

"That is what we will be. If (a policy) is good and in line with ours, we will support it," he said.

Hasan said that although the Democrat Party would be outside the government, it did not mean that there would be no communication with the government.

"Communication is important. So, it does not mean we will not communicate with Jokowi (president elect). We will communicate but it does not mean we will coalesce," he said.

President Yudhoyono, meanwhile, expressed his appreciation to the Red-White coalition for its decision to respect the ruling of the Constitutional Court and to continue its struggle through political means.

"I heard just now that the Red-White coalition would continue to act as a balancing power. In its widest sense in line with the state guidelines, that role is important," he said.

He also expressed his appreciation for the Red-White coalitions decision to accept the Constitutional Courts ruling on the presidential election result.

The court in its recent decision confirmed the victory of the Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla duo in the presidential election on July 9.

President Yudhoyono said, "The meeting this morning was very constructive and all sides expressed their intention and will to be part of national development to make democracy more mature."

"I am glad and grateful that the Red-White coalition has taken a stance and accepted the result of the election and would continue to serve the country in the political field," he added.

ANTARA | PANCA HARI PRABOWO | INE