Megawati's govt weak: Edi

Jakarta: The Justice and Unity Party (PKP) criticized certain officials in President Megawati Soekarnoputri's administration who hold a double post in their party and the government.

"A double job results in a double face. In the morning, one addresses the public as a government official, but in the afternoon, he/she plays the role as party leader," said Edi Sudrajat, chairman of PKP, in his address during the party's fourth anniversary on Saturday.

Responding to the recent challenge by the chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party for Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Megawati, he said that his party was ready to face the 2004 election, however he refused to elaborate on the party strategy or reveal its presidential candidate.

In his speech he also said that in the 2004 election his party preferred the open proportional system rather than the closed proportional system, to allow voters to know their prospective candidates.

"That way, the people may choose directly who will be their representatives, unlike the current system requiring voters to cast their votes for their favorite parties.

The anniversary was attended by other political party delegates from the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), Indonesian National Party (PNI), Pioneer Party (Pelopor), Democratic People's Party (PRD), National Awakening Party (PKB) and others. --JP