DEMOCRATS STILL MULLING COALITION "STREAMLINING"

Jakarta, March 5 (ANTARA) - The idea of "streamlining" the Democrat Party (PD)-led coalition following the PD's defeat in the House plenary session on the Bank Century bailout issue is still being entertained within the party, a spokesman said.

One of the PD's associate chairmen, Anas Urbaningrum, said here Friday the idea was still alive although it was realized it was President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's prerogative to do so.

Proponents of the coalition streamlining idea within the PD argued it was better to have a "lean but healthy" coalition rather than a "fat but unhealthy" one.

"A lean coalition consisting of parties having a strong common commitment will be healthier," Anas said at a discussion at the parliament building.

Anas said other ideas developing in the party were that it was alright for the coalition to remain fat but it must be healthy.

He said this meant that the coalition could remain as it was but its members must have common commitment to developing a strong government.

In reality so far, however, coalition members had taken different stances in dealing with the results of the investigation of the committee of the House of Representatives on the Bank Century bailout.

"Their stances have disappointed the Democrat Party but the differences do not automatically mean the coalition's breakup," he said.

He said the Bank Century case was merely a "test" and could serve as a showcase of the positions of each coalition member.

If the coalition broke up just because of the Bank Century case it would be too simple because it was initially built with a serious consideration for building a strong government.

"I believe that after the Bank Century bailout inquiry, political communication among the coalition members will be more open," he said.

He said the Democrat Party preferred making the coalition remain harmonious until 2014 to develop strong executive and legislative bodies.

For the Democrat Party, he said, making friends is far better than fighting, adding making friends with a common commitment is far better.

He said if coalition members could not find a harmony in their relationship it would then be up to the President to decide about the problem, being the one who made the commitment with them.