PDI Perjuangan members shift to PNBK

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