Coalition of Islamic Parties is Possible: PPP

Jakarta (Antara) - The Secretary General of the United Development Party (PPP), Romahurmuzy, has said Islamic parties are most likely to form a coalition ahead of the 2014 presidential elections. "If a coalition of Islamic parties is not possible, there must be a special reason for that because even for a tactical coalition (of Islamic parties) for nominating a presidential candidate or maintaining the stability of the government in future based on their parliamentary seats today it is already more than enough," he said here on Thursday. A coalition of Islamic parties will allow enough votes to be garnered in the next parliamentary elections to meet the qualifications to nominate a presidential candidate, he added. "Even if only the PPP, PAN (National Mandate Party) and PKB (Nation's Awakening Party) join forces, their seats will be enough. The total seats of the three parties add up to 117. If combined with those of the PKS (Prosperous Justice Party), that number jumps to 169, well above the threshold of 112 seats required to nominate a presidential candidate," he said. Hidayat Nur Wahid, a member of the PKS' highest law-making body, said on Tuesday that Islam-based political parties should come together during legislative elections to increase voter participation in the elections. "In my view, a coalition is necessary so that voters will not be apathetic about the elections," he noted. The coalition is part of efforts to restore the public's confidence in political parties and the democratic system, and could become a means to fight for the interest of voters, he said. "That will prevent the public from resorting to terrorist acts," Hidayat added. (*)