Can Mega be an exception?

In a bid to reduce its campaign budget, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is proposing that its chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri be allowed to campaign while conducting state duties.

Insisting that the President should not take leave during the 20-day campaign period as it will adversely affect decision making in state affairs, the party said Megawati could insert her campaign program into her working visits.

"There will be problems if the President takes leave, therefore she could take one or two hours out of her working visit for campaigning," PDI-P deputy secretary-general Pramono Anung said after the party's weekly meeting on Tuesday.

He said the party would cover Megawati's expenses during the two hours, but was uncertain whether the party would pay for the President's travel expenses.

The government has said the state will only provide security from presidential details for Megawati and Vice President Hamzah Haz during their campaigns.

Pramono said the party was not trying to abuse the state facilities for the party's interests, saying it would offer to share the burden with the government. -- JP