Kwik doubts PDI-P can meet election target<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Senior Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
\nlegislator Kwik Kian Gie expressed pessimism on Monday that the
\nparty would fulfill its target of garnering 42 percent of the
\nvote in the 2004 elections.<\/p>\n
Citing the increasing level of disappointment among its
\nsupporters, Kwik said that it would be difficult for the party to
\neven repeat its 1999 success.<\/p>\n
\"For me the 42 percent target is just too high. I have
\nreceived much input and many constituents have been disappointed
\nby the party,\" Kwik said on Monday.<\/p>\n
The party won the 1999 election with 35 percent of the total
\nvote.<\/p>\n
Party secretary general Soetjipto had earlier set a target of
\n42 percent of the vote, citing stronger support for the party's
\npresidential candidate Megawati Soekarnoputri, the incumbent
\npresident.<\/p>\n
As former chairman of the party's defunct-internal research
\nagency, Kwik, who has labeled his own party the most corrupt,
\nsaid a field survey conducted by his office had shown that the
\npublic was disappointed with Megawati's administration.<\/p>\n
The survey, conducted in the party's former strongholds of
\nEast Java, Central Java and Bali, revealed that only 20 percent
\nof the respondents would vote for Megawati in 2004.<\/p>\n
Other surveys conducted by independent agencies, however,
\nsuggest that while Megawati's support base has shrunk rapidly,
\nshe remained the strongest presidential candidate ahead of 2004,
\nwhen the country is scheduled to hold its first ever direct
\npresidential election.<\/p>\n
Megawati's decreasing popularity was mainly due to her failure
\nto pursue much needed reforms, especially the drive against the
\nrampant corruption that had pushed the country to the brink of
\nbankruptcy.<\/p>\n
\"The team of Soetjipto said that based on observations in
\nseveral regencies across the country, the party still enjoys
\nstrong support from its constituents. I do not believe that,\"
\nKwik insisted Monday.<\/p>\n
In a bid to woo more voters in 2004, PDI Perjuangan, which is
\nled by Megawati, had recruited actors for inclusion on its list
\nof legislative candidates.<\/p>\n
Noted movie stars Marissa Haque, Desy Ratnasari, Deddy Sutomo
\nand Franky Sahilatua have confirmed their readiness to contest
\nthe elections.<\/p>\n
Another noted actress, Sophia Latjuba, has also been asked to
\njoin the party, but sources said she had refused the offer but
\nwould campaign for the party.<\/p>\n
The party will hold a national meeting here on Tuesday (today)
\nto finalize its list of candidates.<\/p>\n
All 30 chapters of the party will attend the meeting, which is
\nslated to be opened by Megawati.<\/p>",
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