Former Army chief sets up party

Former Army chief sets up party

JAKARTA: Former Army chief Gen. (ret) R. Hartono announced on
Sunday a new party called the Functional Nation Concern (KPB),
whose immediate aim is to participate in the 2004 general
election.

Hartono, who is also the former minister of home affairs,
heads the party, which started from a social organization named
the Functional Group of National Concern, established two years
ago.

A number of former high-ranking military officers and
businessmen, such as Gen. (ret) Rudini and Probosutedjo, attended
the party's launch.

"KPB has 30 regional offices in the country, therefore we are
ready to participate in the 2004 elections," Hartono said.

Hartono said KPB was aimed at realizing national security and
improving people's welfare. --Antara