Golkar reconciliation near

JAKARTA. Senior Golkar Party politician Siswono Yudho Husodo said the two rival factions in the party were close to reaching a deal that could end a month-long standoff.

“It’s getting closer. I don’t know what the conclusion will be, but we’re getting there,” Siswono said as quoted by kompas.com.

Siswono said that the two factions, one led by businessman Aburizal Bakrie and another supporting the leadership of former coordinating minister for people’s welfare Agung Laksono, had reached an agreement on several matters.

“For instance, the two sides agree that presidents and local heads must be elected by direct election,” Siswono said.

Agung was elected chairman of Golkar Party in December last year, following the reelection of Aburizal as party chairman during a congress in Bali in November 2014.

Soon after Agung’s election, his supporters occupied party headquarters in West Jakarta, barring Aburizal and his supporters from the premises.