'No plan to appoint PDI-P chief'

JAKARTA: Deputy secretary general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Pramono Anung said on Friday that his party had never planned to appoint a caretaker to deal with its day-to-day activities.

Pramono said PDI Perjuangan chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is also the country's President, only told party leaders to consolidate and help her run the party.

"Since the rumor over the party's plan (to name a caretaker) has gone so far, I have to clarify that we have never come up with the policy," Pramono told The Jakarta Post by phone.

"The party's internal regulation does not recognize the policy either," Pramono added.

Party leader Kwik Kian Gie, who chairs the party's research and development division, said earlier that his party would appoint someone to take over the daily leadership of the party from Megawati.

Kwik said Taufik Kiemas, Megawati's husband, was likely the strongest candidate for the position. But rumors also said that Sophan Sophiaan -- another PDI Perjuangan executive -- was among the nominees.

Pramono, nevertheless, refused to say whether party executives were divided on the issue. --JP