Mega says PDI-P must work harder to win runoff<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) leader Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri told her party's members to work harder to support
\nher bid for president in the runoff on Sept.20.<\/p>\n
Citing the fact that the Megawati-Hasyim Muzadi ticket only
\nwon in seven provinces in the election on July 5, Megawati urged
\nparty leaders to hit the streets and meet their constituents.<\/p>\n
\"Meet the people and work harder, if ibu greets the people at
\nthe markets and other public places, all party's members are
\nexpected to do the same,\" party secretary-general Soetjipto
\nquoted Megawati at the party's national meeting on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Megawati was chairing the party's national meeting at its
\nheadquarters in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta, where executives of
\nthe party's provincial branches submitted their reports on the
\nfirst round of the presidential election.<\/p>\n
With over 26 percent of the vote won as of Saturday night, the
\nMegawati is expected to enter the runoff against front runner
\nSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono of the Democratic Pary and his vice
\npresidential candidate Jusuf Kalla. The final count will be
\nannounced on July 26.<\/p>\n
PDI-P campaign team member Heri Akhmadi said that Megawati
\nended second in 13 provinces. Megawati and Hasyim also garnered
\nfewer votes than those gained by PDI-P in the April 5 legislative
\nelection in 99 regencies.<\/p>\n
Soetjipto also said that the party would focus on reaching out
\nto the people and improving Megawati's public image, instead of
\nannouncing the names of the planned Cabinet members.<\/p>\n
Asked about a possible coalition with other parties for the
\nrunoff, Soetjipto confirmed that Megawati had met with
\nMuhammadiyah chairman Syafii Ma'arif, while other party's members
\nhad held meetings with Golkar Party members.<\/p>\n
\"We have also met with several members of the National Mandate
\nParty (PAN), but these are still informal meetings,\" Heri said.<\/p>\n
One of the party's branch executive from Southeast Sulawesi
\nwho declined to be named said that they were more confident in
\nentering the runoff as they hardly believed Megawati would make
\nit to the second round.<\/p>\n
\"We hope that executive board members can form a coalition
\nwith Golkar Party, with the expectation that they will support us
\nin the runoff,\" the party member told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>",
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