Hatta joins race for PAN top post

JAKARTA: The competition for the National Mandate party (PAN) chairmanship post is heating up with the inclusion of the party's secretary-general Hatta Radjasa.

Hatta, who is also the Minister of Transportation, announced his bid to win the party's top post on Sunday, saying he was fulfilling the request of party constituents in the regions.

He said he had only decided to join the race and was aware his move would spark speculation that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had pushed him to apply.

"The President has always said he would not meddle with the internal affairs of political parties. I guarantee there will be no government's intervention in the race," Hatta said.

Hatta will compete with former finance minister Fuad Bawazier, economist Didik J. Rachbini and other party members like Farhan Hamid, Samuel Kotto, Asni Ahmad and Sutrisno Bachir. Current chairman Amien Rais has rejected a second term. -- Antara