PBB hopes to finish among top three

JAKARTA: The Crescent Star Party (PBB) has set its aims on finishing among the top three in the 2004 legislative election, its chairman said.

PBB chairman Yusril Ihza Mahendra expressed on Monday his optimism that his party would meet its target, considering its preparations, which he said were "much better" than in 1999.

The Muslim party, a proponent of implementing sharia, or Islamic Law, in Indonesia, won 14 seats at the House of Representatives to finish sixth in the last election, placing it among parties that beat the 2 percent electoral threshold.

Yusril was speaking at the opening of the party's national working congress at a haj dormitory in Bekasi, West Java.

The congress is to discuss, among other issues, the party's strategy to improve its standing in the 2004 polls and to evaluate its performance in the past year.

Around 500 party executives representing the central board and regional chapters are attending the congress, which will run through Wednesday.

Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla and Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Hasyim Muzadi are expected to address the participants on the final day of the congress on their vision of Indonesia's future. -- Antara