TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – President-elect Joko Widodo said he was not afraid of the possibility that the supporting parties of Prabowo Subianto, known as the Red and White coalition, would became the majority at the House of Representatives (DPR).
According to Jokowi, the lack of majority support in the parliament was not an obstacle in executing the Jokowi-Kalla administration's programs. “I am not afraid. Why should I?” he said on Wednesday.
Jokowi said he had no special strategies to take on the parliament and that coalition matters were the responsibility of the parties. “I am open to anyone who wants to join, but we won’t be doing something specific,” he said.
Jokowi is currently focusing on executive-related affairs, such as the transition of power from outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono—Jokowi and Yudhoyono have met several times to discuss the issues.
Jokowi has also met with Prabowo's running-mate Hatta Rajasa at National Democratic (NasDem) chair Surya Paloh's residence to chat about possible reconciliation between parties supporting the losing presidential candidate and Jokowi's camp.
Jokowi-JK’s supporting parties secure 207 seats at the DPR. The parties consist of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the National Democratic Party (NasDem), the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the People's Conscience Party (Hanura), while rival Red and White coalition comprises the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party, the Golkar Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the United Development Party (PPP) with a total of 292 seats at the DPR.
The ruling Democrat Party, meanwhile, has yet to make a firm stance regarding which camp it would side with. Democrat chair Yudhoyono has said the Red and White coalition would offset the administration formed by the PDI-P axis.
“Don’t forget that Prabowo Subianto and Hata Rajasa gained large votes. We have to acknowledge that there’s strong political power,” he said.
ANANDA TERESIA