PDI chief absent, supporters weep

PDI chief absent, supporters weep

PRAYA, West Nusa Tenggara: A number of Indonesian Democratic
Party (PDI) supporters wept after waiting for hours in vain for
the party chief, Megawati Soekarnoputri, to visit them, Antara
reported yesterday.

At least 10,000 supporters waited on Wednesday in Praya, the
capital of Central Lombok regency, to hear Megawati address the
gathering, preparations for which began three months ago. To
their dismay, they were told that she was not coming because her
plane had engine trouble.

"We don't believe that. There must be some political
problems," a supporter reportedly said.

Sutardjo Surjoguritno, head of the party's political
department, dismissed the speculation and said the plane that
Megawati was supposed to board in Denpasar, Bali, broke down
earlier in the day.

Party executives who came in Megawati's place included
Secretary-General Alexander Litaay.

A local party executive said the gathering was held to
commemorate the party's 23th anniversary and to install leaders
of PDI branches at nine districts. (swe)