PDI-P not to hold special congress

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) dismissed on Monday demands to hold a special congress to replace the party's leadership following its poor performance in this year's elections.

PDI-P deputy secretary-general Yacobus Mayong Padang said a special congress required the approval of two-thirds of the party's 430 regency branches.

"In the absence of an official request, and considering that the next congress will take place in April next year, we will hold no special congress," Yacobus said.

Some party members had demanded that party leader Megawati Soekarnoputri and executives be held responsible for PDI-P's defeat to Golkar Party in the April legislative election, and for Megawati's loss in the presidential election earlier this month.

Megawati is slated to preside over a meeting at the Grand Bali Beach Hotel in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Tuesday to discuss the party's planned consolidation.--JP