Kwik doubts PDI-P can meet election target
Kwik doubts PDI-P can meet election target
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Senior Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
legislator Kwik Kian Gie expressed pessimism on Monday that the
party would fulfill its target of garnering 42 percent of the
vote in the 2004 elections.
Citing the increasing level of disappointment among its
supporters, Kwik said that it would be difficult for the party to
even repeat its 1999 success.
"For me the 42 percent target is just too high. I have
received much input and many constituents have been disappointed
by the party," Kwik said on Monday.
The party won the 1999 election with 35 percent of the total
vote.
Party secretary general Soetjipto had earlier set a target of
42 percent of the vote, citing stronger support for the party's
presidential candidate Megawati Soekarnoputri, the incumbent
president.
As former chairman of the party's defunct-internal research
agency, Kwik, who has labeled his own party the most corrupt,
said a field survey conducted by his office had shown that the
public was disappointed with Megawati's administration.
The survey, conducted in the party's former strongholds of
East Java, Central Java and Bali, revealed that only 20 percent
of the respondents would vote for Megawati in 2004.
Other surveys conducted by independent agencies, however,
suggest that while Megawati's support base has shrunk rapidly,
she remained the strongest presidential candidate ahead of 2004,
when the country is scheduled to hold its first ever direct
presidential election.
Megawati's decreasing popularity was mainly due to her failure
to pursue much needed reforms, especially the drive against the
rampant corruption that had pushed the country to the brink of
bankruptcy.
"The team of Soetjipto said that based on observations in
several regencies across the country, the party still enjoys
strong support from its constituents. I do not believe that,"
Kwik insisted Monday.
In a bid to woo more voters in 2004, PDI Perjuangan, which is
led by Megawati, had recruited actors for inclusion on its list
of legislative candidates.
Noted movie stars Marissa Haque, Desy Ratnasari, Deddy Sutomo
and Franky Sahilatua have confirmed their readiness to contest
the elections.
Another noted actress, Sophia Latjuba, has also been asked to
join the party, but sources said she had refused the offer but
would campaign for the party.
The party will hold a national meeting here on Tuesday (today)
to finalize its list of candidates.
All 30 chapters of the party will attend the meeting, which is
slated to be opened by Megawati.