Megawati loyalists off election committee

Megawati loyalists off election committee

JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the National Elections Committee
Moch. Yogie S.M. installed three new members in the committee
yesterday, replacing loyalists of Megawati Soekarnoputri of the
Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).

The three new committee members are Dimmy Haryanto, Saji
Soetjoro and Popo Sonadar Haroen. They are all supporters of new
PDI chairman Soerjadi, who ousted Megawati in a government-
sanctioned congress in June.

They replaced Megawati loyalists Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno,
Suparlan and Adipranoto, who lost their seats after they refused
to recognize Soerjadi as party chairman.

Yogie, who is also the minister of home affairs, said during
the ceremony that the replacement was mandated by a presidential
decree dated Sept. 12.

He said the heightened political tension in Indonesia is
something natural because the general election is approaching.
"The political tension is not worrisome," he said.

Yogie said he expected the three contestants -- Golkar, the
United Development Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party --
will avoid using the election campaign next year as a "show of
force".

"We do not want any incidents occurring during next year's
campaign, as they did in the past," he said. (imn)