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.