Golkar announces youth wing

JAKARTA: In a bid to lure young voters to its cause in the 2004 elections, Golkar announced the creation of its youth wing, Angkatan Muda Partai Golkar (AMPG) on Monday.

Despite the current pressure on the party and its chair, Akbar Tandjung, AMPG leaders said that they remained confident and hopeful for a better public image by the next elections.

"We are still optimistic; AMPG will expand the party," said Akbar, who was also named as AMPG's chief counselor.

The youth wing was formed with elements from the Pemuda Pancasila with Yorrys Raweae and Nurdin Halid as deputy chairmen, while Rambe Kamarulzaman was appointed chairman.

Ferry Mursyidan Baldan, meanwhile, has been named AMPG's secretary.

After initial consolidation and program charting, AMPG will hold its first national congress within the next six months, party officials said. -- JP