PPP to pick leaders for presidency

BANDUNG: The United Development Party (PPP) may choose among its four leading figures for its presidential candidate, a party executive said here on Tuesday.

PPP deputy secretary-general Chozin Chumaedi told reporters after addressing party supporters at Saparua sports hall that the most prospective presidential candidates were chairman Hamzah Haz, his predecessor Ismail Hasan Metareum, State Minister of Food and Horticulture A.M. Saeffudin and senior executive Jusuf Syakir.

"In principle, we are not going to nominate outsiders, including the incumbent President B.J. Habibie," Chozin said.

Chozin reiterated that PPP executives would list its presidential candidates but would leave the final say to ulemas, who would pick a name through an edict. The selection will only run after the June 7 polls. (43)