East Java backs Hamzah, Tosari

SURABAYA: The East Java chapter of the United Development Party (PPP) nominated Vice President Hamzah Haz and House deputy speaker Tosari Widjaja candidates for the party's chairmanship for the 2003-2008 period on Friday.

Incumbent PPP chairman Hamzah has said he would not contest another term if there were no contenders from the younger generation for the election scheduled for May.

Secretary of East Java's PPP chapter, Muhammad Mirdasy, said if Hamzah declined the nomination, the chapter would support Tosari, who is one of the party's deputy chairmen.

During the congress in May, the chapter would campaign for regeneration in the central board of executives, which is currently dominated by older figures.

Mirdasy expressed disappointment in Hamzah, who he said would use state facilities when he attends the party's anniversary celebrations on April 26. -- Antara

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Public urged to report corruption

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) is attempting to restore its deteriorating image by introducing a special post office box where the public can report corruption committed by party cadres.

The address was launched on Friday less than one month after party official Kwik Kian Gie said PDI Perjuangan was the most corrupt party in Indonesia.

PDI Perjuangan officials said the move was designed to determine if party cadres were involved in the corruption disclosed by Kwik, who is the State Minister of National Development Planning.

"We will know whether there are many party cadres who are involved in corrupt practices," said M. Prakosa, who chairs the party's research and development bureau, at a press briefing here on Friday. Prakosa is the Minister of Forestry.

He suggested that people send information to P.O. Box 9000, JKP 10900 should they know of cadres who abuse their power and commit corruption. -- JP

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Golkar leader detained for graft

BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: The secretary of the Golkar provincial chapter in Lampung, Oktavianus, was placed under the custody of the prosecutors' office on Friday for alleged corruption.

The suspect was sent to Rajabasa Penitentiary after hours of questioning.

Lampung prosecutors' office deputy chief Darmono said Oktavianus was accused of misusing Rp 15.8 billion (about US$1.7 million) in state funds allocated for literature, in cooperation with another suspect Sutoto, the head of the province's education office.

Darmono said Oktavianus was detained because he would not cooperative during questioning and had defied three summons.

Sutoto has been in detention since earlier this year. - Antara

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FM to visit Myanmar, Thailand

JAKARTA: Foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda is slated to visit Myanmar and Thailand between April 1 and April 5 to discuss several bilateral issues with the two fellow ASEAN members.

Foreign Ministry director for East Asia and Pacific Primo Alui Joelianto said on Friday that during the Thai leg of the trip Hassan would discuss efforts to strengthen economic ties and other issues such as the exclusive economic zone.

Hassan will begin his trip in Myanmar, where he will stay until April 3.

The minister is slated to meet high-ranking officials of both countries.

"The discussion will focus more on economic ties with both countries and several pending issues ...," Primo said.--JP

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New ambassadors present credentials

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri received the credentials of the new ambassadors from Ghana and Tanzania on Friday.

Ambassador John Bentu-Williams of Ghana is based in Kuala Lumpur, while Ambassador Eva Lilian Nzaro of Tanzania is residing in New Delhi.

The two envoys paid a courtesy call on the President following the ceremony at Merdeka Palace, which was also attended by Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda. --JP