PDI-P, Golkar, PAN upbeat about 2004 election

Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Three of the country's leading political parties voiced confidence about the 2004 election, as they face direct elections for the first time and a surge of newcomers are claiming their share of votes.

Indonesia's two biggest parties, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and Golkar each target around one third of the votes, while 1999 election newcomer, the National Awakening Party (PAN) said it was ready to compete.

PDI Perjuangan chairwoman President Megawati Soekarnoputri promised on Saturday to repeat her party's 1999 victory when it won 34 percent of the votes.

The party enjoys broad support at the grassroots level.

But voters' have changed. Analysts say many voters no longer identify Megawati's PDI Perjuangan as the party of the poor and downtrodden.

Now the ruling party, it is harder to connect PDI Perjuangan with the sympathy voters had when it emerged in 1999 from years of oppression under former president Soeharto's regime.

And unlike the previous elections, voters would have a direct say over who should represent them at the legislative and who should become president.

Golkar won 28 percent of the votes in 1999 and aims for 30 percent in 2004.

Speaking at the conclusion of a meeting of the party's top brass here on Saturday, Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung said his optimistic target was based on successful consolidation efforts within the country's oldest political organization.

"The consolidation we have conducted over a long period has led us to believe that Golkar Party will gain 30 percent of the votes in the coming election," Akbar said, who, despite mounting internal demands for his resignation due to his status as a convict, has spent almost every weekend visiting the party's constituents across the country.

Akbar claimed Golkar had registered around 1.2 million new members across the country.

"We see an indication that a great number of people across the country are eager to become party members," he said.

Golkar deputy chairman Slamet Effendy Yusuf said that the estimate was based on reports made by the party's provincial chapters or DPD.

"A report from DPD is considered accurate and close to reality, so I think the estimate is quite reliable," Slamet said, adding he too was upbeat about Golkar winning one third of the votes.

"PAN is ready for the election whenever it is going to be held," said PAN chairman Amien Rais.

The former chairman of the country's second largest Muslim organization, Muhammadiyah, Amien has strengthened PAN's Islamic base after it came in only fifth in the 1999 election.

Analysts have explained the move is an attempt to gain a stronger foothold among Islamic voters in the world's largest Muslim nation.