NEWS

Kalla hosts Golkar executive meeting
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Mon, 07/13/2009 10:43 PMElection 2009

A number of Golkar executives attended Monday a meeting at the residence of Jusuf Kalla, the party's chairman and presidential candidate, on Jl. Mangunsarkoro in Central Jakarta."This meeting aims to discuss the results and the party's performance during both the legislative and presidential elections," Golkar secretary general Sumarsono told reporters.He smiled when asked whether the meeting would also discuss Golkar's response to an offer to join the next government, which looks set to remain under incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of the Democratic Party.Some leaders of Golkar, which practically broke its 2004 coalition partnership with the Democratic Party after Kalla decided to run for presidency, have hinted at the party’s move to renew the partnership following Kalla’s apparent defeat in the presidential election.Golkar’s Southeast Sulawesi leader Ridwan Bae had stated that the party would elect Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Aburizal Bakrie in place of Kalla in the upcoming congress. Aburizal is said to face opposition from media tycoon Suryo Paloh, the party's current chief patron. (hdt)