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)