PDI-P gears up for 2004 elections

PDI-P gears up for 2004 elections

JAKARTA: Chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Megawati Soekarnoputri asked party
cadres on Saturday to strive to win the 2004 elections.

Speaking during a breaking of the fast gathering at her
private residence in Kebagusan, South Jakarta, Megawati asked the
party members to consolidate due to the limited time left to
prepare for the elections.

"We have to think about it (winning the elections) from now
on," Megawati, who is also the President, said.

Then opposition leader Megawati led PDI Perjuangan to finish
first in the previous elections in 1999, winning one third of the
votes. Observers doubt Megawati's chance of chalking up a second
victory due to her declining popularity.

Also attending the event was noted cleric Abdullah Gymnasiar,
who gave a sermon ahead of the breaking of the fast meal. --
Antara

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Scene-press-celebration
Press Day celebration moved to Bali
JP/4/SCENE

Press Day celebration moved to Bali

DENPASAR: The venue for the National Press Day celebration
next year has been moved to Bali from Banten, a member of the
organizing committee said on Saturday.

Bambang Suminto, deputy of the Bali chapter of Indonesian
Journalists Association (PWI), said the decision to bring the
event to Bali was part of efforts to encourage tourism on the
island following the bomb attack that killed at least 190 people
last month.

The association, once the only government-sanctioned press
organization, made the change during a leadership meeting on
Thursday.

The National Press Day is commemorated in conjunction with the
anniversary of PWI, which will turn 57 next year.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri is expected to attend the
Feb. 9 celebration, which will be held at the Ksirarnawa building
in the compound of Denpasar Cultural Park.

Senior journalist Rosihan Anwar is scheduled to read out the
journalists' declaration during the event.

Journalists attending the celebration will visit the site of
bombing in Legian, Kuta and hand over aid to local vendors. --
Antara

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Scene-vessel-recovery
Navy fails to recover sinking boat
JP/4/SCENE

Navy fails to salvage sunken boat

AMBON, Maluku: A rescue team from the Indonesian Navy has
failed to salvage the Masohi Star ferry which sank in Ambon Bay,
with some 60 bodies believed to have been trapped inside.

Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina said on Saturday the search
and rescue team from the naval base here lacked equipment to
reach the ship, which sank 100 meters beneath sea level.

"Their equipment only allows them to dive 30 meters to 40
meters," he said.

Saleh called on the Navy to send heavy equipment from Jakarta
and Surabaya to help salvage the wreckage of the ship.

The official death toll in the accident is five. Survivors
however estimated that 60 passengers were trapped inside the ship
when it sank last Sunday on its way from Ambon's Slamet Riyadi
port to Masohi, capital of Central Maluku district.

Ambon Police said the 30-ton vessel was overloaded. Although
the ship's passenger manifest showed only 105 people on board,
police believe it was carrying some 300 people plus cargo. -
Antara

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Scene-award-criticism
President chided over award
JP/4/SCENE

President chided over award

JAKARTA: A widow of a former cabinet minister criticized
President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Sunday for awarding her
father in law a medal of merit.

Sri Hardhani, the wife of former home minister Amir Machmud,
said Megawati as a national leader failed to be a role model.

"Heads of state should not think of their own interests. They
should provide a good example," Hardhani said on the sidelines of
a ceremony to commemorate Heroes Day at the Kalibata Heroes
Cemetery in South Jakarta.

"She should have given priority to distinguished persons, not
her own family members."

Megawati presented an award to her father-in-law, the late Tji
Agus Kiemas, for his meritious service while working for the
ministry of trade. Her predecessors Soeharto and B.J. Habibie
also showered their wives and friends with honorary medals. --
Antara