PIB prepared to contest election in 2004: Sjahrir
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.