Ruling Democratic Party Ready to be Out of Executive Body

Jakarta (Antara) - A senior leader of Democratic Party said the ruling party is ready to serve outside the executive body in the next five years watching the policy of the government under the new president Joko Widodo. Deputy chairman of the party's advisory board Marzuki Ali said if the policy of the government is pro people the Democratic Party would give its appreciation but if the policy is not pro people, the party would criticize it. Marzuki, who is the speaker of the House of Representatives, said the position of the Democratic Party is that it would not take part in the government, stressing, "no question about that." Being out of the government does not necessarily become opposition party, but it would oppose the policy of government if the policy would not benefit the country, he said. He said in its national leadership meeting in Jakarta last May, the party decided to take a neutral position in the presidential election contested by two candidates , as it wanted consolidation after its reputation was badly dented with a number of its cadres involved in cases of corruption. Finally, however, a few days before the election took place on July 9, the party joined a coalition of a number of parties supporting the candidacy of retired army Lt. Gen Prabowo Subianto, who lost to rival candidate Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo supported by a coalition of smaller number of parties . Marzuki, however, said the decision taken at the May's national leadership meeting has not changed. (*)