PDI members told to cast their votes<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government-backed leadership of the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party (PDI) joined the chorus yesterday
\nagainst calls for a boycott of the election.<\/p>\n
The PDI chairman Soerjadi said in a speech delivered in the
\nparty's 24th anniversary celebration in Sigli, Aceh, on Sunday
\nthat the leadership of the PDI had always encouraged party
\nmembers to vote.<\/p>\n
"We call on all eligible citizens to vote for whatever
\npolitical party they like. They should exercise their basic
\npolitical rights," Soerjadi told some 3,000 party cadres and
\nlocal residents who attended the celebration.<\/p>\n
The party has split into two groups following last June's
\ngovernment-supported congress in Medan in which Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri was deposed with Soerjadi replacing her in the top
\njob.<\/p>\n
Megawati has ordered her supporters to keep their election
\nregistration cards. Some aides have implied that some Megawati
\nsympathizers may abstain from the election process, as pro-
\nMegawati candidates have been declared invalid.<\/p>\n
The general election will take place on May 29, in which the
\nPDI will contest against Golkar and the United Development Party
\n(PPP). They will vote for 425 seats in the House of
\nRepresentatives.<\/p>\n
Soerjadi said that people who cast their ballots on the
\npolling day will elect their representatives who will draw up the
\nGuidelines of the State Policy for the 1998-2003 period.<\/p>\n
"If you don't vote, you will be excluded from the making of
\nthe five-year state policy guidelines, which once passed, will
\naffect everybody," he said, as quoted in Antara as saying.<\/p>\n
Soerjadi's visit to Aceh was part of the party's consolidation
\nprogram in the run-up to the election.<\/p>\n
The poll contestants will hold election campaigns from April
\n27 to May 23. (amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pdi-members-told-to-cast-their-votes-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}