Mega's running mate undecided

MANADO, North Sulawesi: Veteran politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Sabam Sirait said on Monday that his party would nominate chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri as the sole presidential candidate.

Sabam added that the decision to pick Megawati as the only candidate was agreed upon during a party congress. He did not name when the congress was held.

He also said that his party had not decided on who would be Megawati's running mate in the 2004 elections, when the country will hold its first ever direct presidential election.

Commenting on the possibility that Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Muslim organization chairman Hasyim Muzadi would be Megawati's running mate, Sabam said that it could be discussed later.

Analysts said PDI Perjuangan which adopted nationalist platform would get more support should the party offer Muslim cleric as Megawati's running mate to net Muslim voters. - Antara