Nine more parties pass first screening

JAKARTA: Nine more political parties -- including three that contended the 1999 general election -- have passed the screening procedures conducted by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights.

The nine parties -- Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Golkar and National Mandate Party (PAN), New Indonesia Party (PIB), Nation Unifying Party (PPB), Prosperity and Peace (PDS), Indonesian Marhaenist National Party (PNIM), Democrat Party (PD) and Nationality and United National Democrat Party (PPDK) -- have met all the legal and administrative requirements for official acceptance.

Previously, nine other parties passed the screening. But, all of the parties must still undergo second-round screening -- by the General Elections Commission (KPU) -- to determine whether or not they are eligible to contend the 2004 elections.

The Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, said that he was yet to screen a score of other parties hoping to contend the upcoming legislative elections, scheduled for April 1, 2004. --JP