PDI-P eyes running mate

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) will likely select its vice presidential candidate from another party so as to increase its chances of victory in the 2004 presidential election.

"Given that the PDI Perjuangan is unlikely to win the general election with a simple majority, we are considering selecting our vice presidential candidate from another party so as to garner more political support and thereby win the election," Pramono Anung, a deputy to the party's secretary-general, said on Tuesday.

He further said that the PDI Perjuangan would definitely nominate President Megawati Soekarnoputri to run in as its presidential candidate in 2004.

"It's up to Megawati to pick a vice presidential candidate as her running mate in the election," he added.

The year 2004 will be a historic one for Indonesia as it will mark the first ever direct presidential election in the nation's history. --JP