PPP rejects Soewardi

SEMARANG, Central Java: The United Development Party (PPP) in Central Java said it would fight to reject the renomination of Governor Soewardi for a second term.

The chairman of the party's provincial branch, Thoyfoer, said yesterday that PPP would do its utmost to realize the aspirations of intellectuals and religious leaders rejecting the renomination were represented in the provincial legislature.

"Those aspirations are objective, spontaneous and are not contrived. We back these aspirations not to renominate Soewardi," he said.

He argued that the province needed a new leader who was wise and understood the needs of the people.

"Arrogant attitudes have to be dispelled from a leader, especially in Central Java," Thoyfoer remarked.

He claimed that the rejection of Soewardi's renomination came from all walks of life, and cited a recent poll at Diponegoro University here.

"Soewardi has failed in his leadership as governor for the 1993/1998 period," he charged.

Among the other candidates said to be favorite in the gubernatorial race are Semarang Mayor Soetrisno Soeharto and Governor of the Military Academy Maj. Gen. Djoko Soebroto. (har)