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)