PDI-P leader supports caretaker plan

PDI-P leader supports caretaker plan

JAKARTA: Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan) deputy chairman Arifin Panigoro has expressed support
for the executive board's plan to appoint somebody to take over
the day-to-day running of the party from President Megawati
Soekarnoputri.

He said whoever was appointed would play an important role as
the party dealt with internal frictions.

"The party is in a difficult situation. There must be
improvements within the party ahead of the 2004 general
elections," Arifin said after attending the funeral of
nationalist Manai Sophiaan in South Jakarta.

Arifin said the person appointed to oversee the day-to-day
running of the party would be expected to improve the performance
and image of the party, which has been tainted by a series of
scandals.

These scandals, which have been widely covered by the media,
include the elections of heads of regional governments, political
rifts among central figures in the party and alleged money
politics. -- JP