PPP backs ABRI governor

PPP backs ABRI governor

Samarinda, East Kalimantan: The provincial branch of the
United Development Party (PPP) has announced it will only support
an active-duty Armed Forces (ABRI) gubernatorial candidate.

"Based on the thousands of letters we have received and
various consultations we have conducted ... we have decided to
support a gubernatorial candidate for the 1998/2003 period who
comes from an active Armed Forces background," said PPP
provincial chief Ridwan Suwidi, as quoted by Antara.

"If there are no active Armed Forces members out of the three
or five candidates forwarded by the provincial legislature to the
minister of home affairs, then PPP won't vote," he warned.

He shrugged off suggestions that the faction's position was
taken under "external" pressure.

No, this is based on our consultations and the qualities which
an Armed Forces member can have, he explained.

The names of the candidates will forwarded to Jakarta later
this month. (mds)