'No plan to appoint PDI-P chief'

'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