Megawati to skip House's last ball

JAKARTA (JP): Megawati Soekarnoputri, the deposed leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), will not attend a farewell party for members of the House of Representatives (DPR) tomorrow.

Other House members loyal to her however said yesterday they would go to the party, which will be held at the DPR building.

Megawati's close aid, Subadio Anam, said she could not attend because she had other plans.

Megawati and her loyalists were excluded from contesting the May general election in which the PDI was humiliated, winning only 11 seats compared to 56 in 1992.

President Soeharto and Vice President Try Sutrisno are expected to attend the gathering and address the 500 legislators whose term ends next Tuesday.

It will be Soeharto's second appearance at a House farewell party. The first was in 1987. The then Vice President Sudharmono attended the farewell with House legislators five years ago.

Aberson Marle Sihaloho, a PDI legislator who was convicted in July of defaming Soeharto, said he would go to the party with his wife.

"For me, a friendly meeting between the country's two top institutions is a good idea," he said.

Aberson is currently appealing to the high court against the defamation verdict and the nine-month prison term meted out by the Central Jakarta District Court.

Another Megawati loyalist, Sukowaluyo Mintoharjo, said he would attend the gathering to show respect for "the close ties between the House and the government".

"It can serve as a forum to look for common views on substantive matters that both the House and the government are facing," Sukowaluyo said.

Soeharto and House Speaker Wahono are scheduled to deliver speeches during the evening gathering. (imn/amd)