Indonesia Ruling Democrat Party Supports Prabowo-Hatta Pair

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The ruling Democrat Party has formally declared its support to the Prabowo-Hatta presidential pair here on Monday.

As a logical consequence of the decision "we are ready to campaign for them," the partys executive chairman, Syarief Hasan, said on the sidelines of a press conference regarding the partys declaration of support to the Prabowo-Hatta pair.

Syarief Hasan noted that the campaign period was only five days away, but "our participation will not be bad."

He said with the declaration the Democrat Party has logically become part of the Red and White coalition of political parties that support the Prabowo-Hatta pair.

He said his party was ready to move to regions to help the Prabowo-Hatta duo win the presidential election.

Hasan said the Democrat Party had decided to officially support the Prabowo-Hatta duo after learning that the candidates had a mission and vision that was in line with that of the party.

He said the central executive board has ordered all regional, district, and subdistrict chapters across the country, including all cadres, sympathizers, wing organizations, and Democrat Party supporters, to provide full support to the Prabowo-Hatta duo.

"On June 1, 2014, the Prabowo-Hatta pair presented its mission and vision and was found to be in line with the Democrat Partys mission and vision," he said.

"The Democrat Party later monitored speeches made by Prabowo and Hatta during the current campaign period, which according to us revealed that they will continue the economic as well as welfare programs of current President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono."

He said the Democrat Party cadres have also proposed that the party support the Prabowo-Hatta duo.

"This political statement is from the Democrat Partys executive board. The executive chairman and the secretary general have authorization. We believe our support will increase the number of votes for the Prabowo-Hatta duo. We believe God willing the Prabowo-Hatta duo will win the election," he said.

Regarding sanctions on party cadres who did not agree with the partys decision, he said the party had not taken a decision yet, adding that the election was more important than sanctions.

Asked if the partys decision reflected the views of the partys general chairman, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, he said the president had not expressed denial or agreement.

"In short, all party officials were present. The Democrat Party is structured and has a clear mechanism. Everything is under the control of the partys general chairman," Syarief Hasan said.

Among the officials present during the declaration were secretary general Edi Baskhoro Yudhoyono, who is the presidents son, Amir Syamsuddin, Jero Wacik, EE Mangindaan, and Roy Suryo.

Indonesia will conduct a democratic presidential election on July 9, 2014, which will be contested by two pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates: Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa and Joko Widodo (Jokowi)-Jusuf Kalla.

Prabowo Subianto is a retired military general and the chairman of Gerindra (Great Indonesia Movement) Party, while his running mate, Hatta Rajasa, is a former coordinating minister for economic affairs and the chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN).

Jokowi is Jakarta governor and a cadre of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), while his running mate, Jusuf Kalla (JK), is a former vice president and a senior politician of the Golkar Party.

The Prabowo-Hatta pair is supported by Gerindra, PAN, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the United Development Party (PPP), the Crescent and Star Party (PBB), and the Golkar Party.

The Jokowi-JK pair is supported by five political parties: the Indonesia Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP), the Nation Awakening Party (PKB), the Peoples Conscience Party (Hanura), the Justice and Indonesian Unity Party (PKPI), and the National Democrat Party (Nasdem). (WDY)