Nov 12 (Reuters) - Indonesian ride-hailing firm GoTo

said on Wednesday that it has consistently backed

government policies that will benefit driver-partners and

merchants, including those involving mergers or acquisitions.

The statement comes days after a spokesperson for the

Indonesian president said the government was discussing a

possible merger or acquisition involving GoTo and its

ride-hailing and food delivery rival Grab.

"The company... (has) always supported government policies

relating to the improvement of driver-partners and merchant

welfare, including if this is to be achieved through a merger,

acquisition or any other strategic corporate action," GoTo's

corporate secretary R.A Koesoemohadiani said in a statement.

Grab declined to comment on the GoTo announcement.

The Indonesian government considers the ride-hailing

industry an important source of jobs and a vital part of the

economy.

GoTo's Gojek unit alone has partnered with more than 3.1

million riders, and together with Grab, it has dominated the

Indonesian market for several years.

A combined entity would hold a market share of over 91% in

Indonesia, according to data analytics company, Euromonitor

International.

(Reporting by Sameer Manekar in Bengaluru and Yantoultra Ngui;

Writing by Stefanno Sulaiman; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)