9,000 ready to monitor poll

SEMARANG: The Central Java chapter of the Moslem-oriented Indonesian Development Party (PPP) has recruited 9,000 activists to monitor next year's general election.

The activists, who consist of people from various professions, from laborers to college students, will be posted to the provinces' 35 regencies and mayoralties.

Daromi, a spokesman for the party chapter, said the activists will raise the alarm at any violation in the general election.

"We have no negative thoughts about the government's intentions... but we do want to make sure that there won't be any poll rigging," he said.

General elections are controlled by the government, which backs one of the three contestants, Golkar. The PPP and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) have persistently demanded that they be involved in the process. (har/pan)