SBY: Coalition with Jokowi Not Possible, There are Obstacles

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Democratic Party chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) said that he is faced with several obstacles if his party is to form a coalition with President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo in the upcoming 2019 presidential election.

“I actually established communication with Pak Jokowi for almost a whole year to run a possibility of a partnership in the government,” said SBY at his private residency in South Jakarta on Tuesday, July 24.

SBY’s statement was an answer to questions regarding the party’s chances on siding with Jokowi in the presidential election. He also revealed that Jokowi is similarly motivated as he is upon establishing a coalition, but is once again faced with an obstacle.

“I do not need to reveal in detail what the obstacles are,” said the former sixth Indonesian president.

SBY said that a coalition between them can only be possible if both parties share mutual trust and respect, which he said is the main problem faced by the Democratic Party in supporting Jokowi.

Previously reported, Democratic Party’s head of advocacy and legal aid Ferdinand Huhatahean revealed that one of the obstacles is the relationship between SBY and the Chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Megawati Soekarnoputri, which is Jokowi’s main party backing.

“The relationship between SBY and Megawati is for sure a significant obstacle,” said Ferdinand at the Senayan parliamentary complex on Wednesday, July 18.

SBY’s relationship with Megawati deteriorated ever since SBY won the 2004 presidential election. It was a pivotal moment when SBY resigned from the administration and submitted himself to run for presidency to face Megawati.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI