PIB prepared to contest election in 2004: Sjahrir

Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

An unconventional celebration, with song and dance, held by the New Indonesia Party (PIB) on Sunday, marked the nomination of chairman Sjahrir as its torchbearer in the 2004 election.

Sjahrir, a noted economist, said reviving the country's ailing economy would take center stage in his presidential campaign in 2004.

"PIB is the only party that offers comprehensive planning on how to get the nation's economy back on track," Sjahrir said. However, he declined to reveal his economic plan until campaigning begins in March next year.

Sjahrir also announced that his party would register with the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights and the General Elections Commission (KPU) on May. 23 and September to be officially verified, before contesting the election.

"By then, we will reveal our lists of legislative and vice- presidential candidates, as well as our working agenda," he said.

Indonesia will have its first-ever direct general election in 2004 as KPU has announced that the legislative election will fall on April 5.

The legislative election will be followed by a two-phase presidential election, predicted to fall in June and August, as deliberations on the presidential election bill by the House of Representatives are still awaited.

At least 237 parties have registered with the justice ministry. Only parties that have chapters in at least half of the country's 30 provinces and branches in at least half of the country's 410 regencies and municipalities may contest the election.

PIB said on Sunday the party had offices and branches in 29 provinces and 260 regencies and municipalities.

"We are ready to submit to the verification process scheduled to end in September and contest the next election," Sjahrir said.

The PIB held its first-ever national convention, resembling the national conventions of the Democratic and Republican parties in the United States, including confetti, fireworks, a full band and dancing for convention participants.

"With my nomination now announced, we would like to show that the public should be aware of the quality of their candidates, fairly and squarely," Sjahrir said.