PDI Perjuangan members shift to PNBK

BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Thousands of the Indonesian Democratic Party of struggle (PDI Perjuangan) supporters in Panjang district, Lampung, have jumped ship to the rival Bung Karno Nationalist Party (PNBK), a PDI Perjuangan official said.

Asen, the chairman of the party's chapter in Panjang, said the desertion was triggered by their disappointment with internal conflicts that had left their aspirations unfulfilled.

"We would rather move to another party than be betrayed by the party. PDI Perjuangan Lampung has become a political vehicle for certain people. Even the members of other parties can enter and undermine it (the PDI Perjuangan)," Asen said.

The exact number of party supporters who changed sides remained unknown.

Over 17,300 people, or 54 percent of the eligible voters in Panjang district, voted for the PDI Perjuangan in the 1999 general election.

The split in the PDI Perjuangan in Lampung had been reflected in the dismissal of provincial legislature speaker Sri Atidah by Abbas Hadisunyoto.

The PNBK was founded by former PDI Perjuangan member Eros Djarot. --JP