Big names shun PDI-P offer

JAKARTA: A number of big names have rejected an offer from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) to represent it in next year's general election.

Economists Mari Pangestu and Sri Mulyani have said they would not contest the elections, as has Lt. Gen. (ret) Agus Widjojo, the former Indonesian Military chief of territorial affairs.

"They were unable to fulfill the request from PDI Perjuangan's constituents," party secretary general Pramono Anung said Tuesday.

He said the party would come up with 660 definite candidates on Dec. 20.

Among the possible candidates are People's Consultative Assembly deputy speaker Lt. Gen. Slamet Supriyadi, former police officer Insp. Gen. (ret) Nurdin, noted soap opera actresses Marisa Haque and Desy Ratnasari, and lawyer T. Gayus Lumbuun.--JP