PDI-P Edges toward Cooperating with Arch-Rival

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) may cooperate with its arch-rival following the Democratic Party’s endorsement of the candidacy of Taufik Kiemas for the new People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker post.

“A repositioning of our political stance is currently underway. The option is either to cooperate or not. The final call will be made by [PDI-P chairwoman] Megawati Soekarnoputri,” PDI-P legislator Eva Kusuma Sundari told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

“There is a likelihood Megawati will approve [the endorsement of Taufik]. I am holding my breath now,” she said.

Another PDI-P legislator, Effendi Simbolon, said previously the candidacy of chief PDI-P patron Taufik, who is also Megawati’s husband, had already been accepted by all parites at the House of Representatives and that his appointment as MPR speaker was only a matter of time.

“All parties have agreed 100 percent to elect Pak Taufik as the speaker. His nomination has been under discussion since the deliberation of the legislative body composition bill,” Effendi said.