Nine more parties pass first screening

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