PBB, PPP to designate vice presidential nominees

JAKARTA (JP): While the fate of embattled President Abdurrahman Wahid is still far from sealed, the United Development Party (PPP) and the Crescent Star Party (PBB) are already preparing to forward vice presidential candidates to partner Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Legislators from both parties acknowledged that they were actively taking this step, but would not reveal who their candidates might be.

Ali Marwan Hanan, the secretary-general of PPP, said that "PPP, as an old party", always has personnel ready for all positions in the executive body.

"Our party's main target is to take power and to occupy the presidential and vice presidential positions," he said in a discussion here on Friday.

When pressed to name the party's vice presidential candidate, Ali replied: "In line with eastern culture, it's unethical to name our candidate because the special session has yet to be held and it is uncertain whether the President's accountability will be accepted or not."

Asked if PPP chairman Hamzah Haz was the likely candidate, Ali merely said the party would wait for the appropriate time before making an announcement. But he said PPP ha begun lobbying other parties to secure support for their nominee.

Meanwhile M.S. Kaban, the secretary-general of PBB, hinted that PBB would nominate party chairman Yuzril Ihza Mahendra for the vice presidential post if Abdurrahman was removed from office.

Kaban said the nation would need a strong vice president if Megawati took over the presidency.

"The next government will face ample problems since Gus Dur has achieved little during his 19 months in power," he said, referring to the President by his nickname.

The Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung said his party would not nominate a vice presidential candidate, noting that the party was focusing on the 2004 general election.

"Golkar will not nominate a vice presidential candidate because we are busy consolidating for the 2004 elections," he said.(rms)