Partindo to join 2004 election

Partindo to join 2004 election

BOGOR, West Java: A group of politicians loyal to the
philosophy and the teachings introduced by the country's founding
president Sukarno declared on Saturday establishment of the
Indonesian Party (Partindo) 1931.

"Partindo is established in an attempt to promote the
philosophy and teachings of Sukarno and participate in a national
movement to bring the country out of the multi-dimensional
crisis," said chairman Soetomo Martopradoto during the ceremony
held at the Sera Nusa Hotel in Bogor, 60 kilometers south of
Jakarta.

Soetomo, who spent six years in jail during the early years of
the rule of Soeharto, Sukarno's successor, said Partindo would
promote Marhaenism, Sukarno's assessment on socio-nationalism and
socio-democracy and the state ideology Pancasila.

He said the party had a connection with Partindo, which was
established by Sartono, a Sukarno loyalist, on April 30, 1931
following the arrest of Sukarno by the Dutch colonial rulers in
1929. Sukarno previously chaired the Indonesian Nationalist Party
(PNI).

Soetomo said that the party had registered its existence with
the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights and would be ready to
participate in the 2004 general election.

Soetomo, who was Labor Minister from 1964 until 1966 under the
presidency of Sukarno, claimed that Partindo already had 20
provincial chapters, with 120 branches, nationwide. -- JP