Indonesia's Prabowo gets support from biggest party, but no coalition deal yet

JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesia’s largest political party said it would support incoming president Prabowo Subianto, but it was unclear on Thursday whether it would formally join his already dominant coalition just days ahead of the inauguration ceremony.

If Prabowo, who will take over the presidency on Sunday, can reach a deal with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) there would be no opposition parties in parliament, an unprecedented situation since Indonesia began holding direct presidential elections in 2004.

“We’re solid in supporting the incoming government as a way to build Indonesia’s future,” Puan Maharani, house speaker and a senior PDIP official, said on Wednesday, according to state media. It was unclear whether or not she meant the PDIP was joining the coalition.

The PDIP did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for clarification of the comment.

There has been persistent talk about a meeting between PDIP chief Megawati Sukarnoputri and Prabowo in recent weeks, and Puan said one would “hopefully” take place but did not give a specific time.

A top Prabowo aide said earlier this week the two would meet without giving details on timing.

Prabowo briefed his would-be ministers on Wednesday on economic and geopolitical issues, as cabinet assessments continued.

He has summoned dozens of people this week who said they had been asked to join the next government, including current finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati. His cabinet has not been officially unveiled.

Budi Gunawan, a former chief of Indonesia’s Intelligence Agency who is considered close to the PDIP, attended Prabowo’s briefing for his potential ministers, Budi Arie Setiadi, another ministerial candidate who attended the meeting, told Reuters.

While not formally a part of the PDIP, Budi Gunawan is known to be close to party chief Megawati and often attends party events.

The absence of any opposition in the parliament would ensure smooth passage of Prabowo’s legislative agenda, but would likely heighten fears about a lack of meaningful checks on Prabowo’s power in a country with a history of authoritarian rule.

Seven of the eight parties in parliament have already joined Prabowo’s coalition, securing him a parliamentary majority.

PDIP, which won the most seats in the February election, had nominated Prabowo’s predecessor, Joko Widodo, for president in 2014. But their relationship soured over President Widodo’s tacit support for Prabowo during his election campaign.

(Reporting by Stanley Widianto and Ananda Teresia. Writing by Idrees Ali)