TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Agus Hermanto, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives from the Democrat Party, said his party would not join the parties supporting the Jokowi administration. "We still play a role as a balancer," he said on Thursday.
Hermanto explained the party took the stance so it could monitor the government's policies. "If there is a policy that is in line with the people's interests, we will support it. If not, we will make corrections,” he said.
He added the same went to the supporting parties of losing presidential Prabowo Subianto in the parliament: new legislation initiated by the parliament would be responded critically for the good of the people. “Don’t misinterpret this as playing in both sides,” he said.
Agus said this position was the reason the Democrat was unwilling to engage in permanent ties with Jokowi's coalition. He also claimed that its presence among Prabowo's allies were based on the intent of serving the people's interests. “There is no political contract with the Democrat Party,” said Hermanto.
In a recent interview with Tempo, president-elect Joko Widodo said his side was still open to any parties from Prabowo's coalition seeking to jump ship.
RIKY FERDIANTO
