PDI Perjuangan enlists actors as legislative candidates

PDI Perjuangan enlists actors as legislative candidates

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Beleaguered by the unpopular policies that prompted many of its
cadres to join other parties, the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) has enlisted actors and actresses as
its legislative candidates in the upcoming elections.

PDI Perjuangan deputy secretary general Pramono Anung Wibowo
said on Tuesday that Desy Ratnasari, Marissa Haque, Deddy Sutomo
and renowned singer Franky Sahilatua were on the list of PDI
Perjuangan's candidates vying for seats in the House of
Representatives.

"We have confirmed their readiness to join PDI Perjuangan's
legislative candidates. They all say that they are willing to be
on the list," said Promono.

PDI Perjuangan, which garnered around 34 million votes to win
the 1999 general election, is headed by President Megawati
Soekarnoputri.

The celebrities could not be contacted for comments on
Tuesday.

The recruitment of the actors and actress is part of the
party's attempts to win the country's first ever direct
presidential election in 2004.

PDI Perjuangan, which garnered 35 percent of the votes to win
the 1999 elections, has come under public scrutiny following
controversial policies, including the decision to reelect
Sutiyoso as Jakarta's governor.

Megawati's lackluster performance has also raised doubts
concerning PDI Perjuangan's chances in the upcoming elections.

According to Pramono, the celebrity candidates were nominated
by party branches.

Desy was nominated by Sukabumi regency in West Java and
Marissa by the Jakarta chapter, he said.

"We will order them highly to ensure their elections," Pramono
said after attending the party's weekly meeting led by
chairperson Megawati.

The party will enlist around 1,100 legislative candidates in
numerical order for the upcoming elections. Only those with the
top numbers will enjoy the possibility of being elected into the
House.

In recent times it has become the trend for political parties
to enlist actors and actresses as vote-getters for the elections.

The National Awakening Party (PKB) announced actresses Rieke
Dyah Pitaloka and Ayu Azhari as candidates, while Golkar Party
announced Nurul Arifin.

Sources say that PDI Perjuangan is also considering recruiting
noted actress Sophia Latjuba.

Pramono also said that the party was inviting researchers and
academics, such as Rizal Mallarangeng, to be on the list.

"These names purely come from our branches, although the
central executive board has 40 percent of the authority to
appoint the candidates", Pramono said.

He claimed that the list also included Muslim preachers and
retired military personnel.

Another deputy secretary general Mangara Siahaan said that the
party also would comply with the 30 percent quota for female
candidates.

"We put our female candidates at the top of the list to ensure
their election. We proudly say that maybe we will be the only
party to fulfill the quota," Mangara said.

The final list of the candidates will be announced during the
party's national meeting on Nov. 18 in Surabaya, Pramono
disclosed.