Megawati may keep PDI-P's top post

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: Despite her defeat in the presidential election and her party's loss in the legislative election, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle leader Megawati Soekarnoputri remains the favorite when the party congress opens in Bali at the end of the month, according to one party functionary.

A local party executive, Elianuddin HB, said Megawati's chance of retaining the post "stood at 95 percent" as reflected in the unanimous support from representatives of the party's regency branches, who met recently.

He said the delegations would either renominate her, demand her reelection or support the party's decision to give her the mandate for a third successive term during the congress.

The party may have to weather its most serious rift ever ahead of the congress, with some leading politicians campaigning for sweeping reforms within the party. -- Antara