REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Golkar Party faction in the House of Representatives (DPR) has decided to support the passage of Perppu 1, 2014, for the direct elections of provincial governors, district heads, and city mayors.

"We will ask all Golkar Party faction members in the DPR to take a common stance to accept Perppu Pilkada," faction chairman Ade Komaruddin said here on Wednesday during the publication of LSI survey results.

The LSI survey shows 84 percent of the country's population prefers direct elections, and it was not extraordinary, Ade noted.

Even without a survey, he added, it could be concluded that the majority of the Indonesian people preferred direct elections.

The Aburizal Bakrie faction of the Golkar Party had declared at the Bali congress that it will oppose the passage of the government regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) on regional elections, but later changed stance.

Ade observed that both direct and indirect elections are constitutional.

"The constitution stipulates that elections must be conducted democratically and it can be direct or indirect," he added.

According to him, direct elections are costly, though the majority of the Indonesian people prefer it as they can exercise their political right directly.

He pointed out that his party faction will think of how election funds can be collected responsibly.

Regarding the recommendations of the Bali congress against the Perppu, Ade remarked it was just a proposal that could be accepted or rejected.

"At the plenary session, the Golkar Party will support the direct election option," he revealed.

Meanwhile, the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) faction has welcomed the Golkar Party faction's decision to support the passage of Perppu 1, 2014.

"Considering the aspirations of the people, who mostly prefer direct elections, it is appropriate for political parties to support the Perppu," PDIP faction member Maruarar Sirait said on the occasion.

He observed that the Golkar Party faction's decision to support direct elections meant the party was back on its track.

According to him, many regional leaders from the Red-White coalition also prefer direct elections.

Maruarar expressed hope that the DPR, as the people's representatives, makes decisions that meet the people's aspirations.

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