1,238 register for DPD seats

JAKARTA: Some 1,238 people have registered at the General Elections Commission (KPU) to contest 128 seats on the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) in the 2004 election, the KPU said Monday.

KPU chairman Ramlan Surbakti said Jakarta had the highest number of regional representative registrants with 96 people, while Papua had the lowest registrants with only 14.

A number of public figures such as former Minister for the Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, businesswoman Mooryati Sudibyo, and politician Bambang Warih Kusuma have reportedly registered to contest DPD seats.

Ramlan said the KPU at provincial and regental levels would start verifying all information supplied by the prospective candidates. --JP