PPP wants presidency: Hamzah

JAKARTA: The United Development Party (PPP) dismissed speculation on Friday that it would be content to get the vice presidential post in next year's presidential election.

PPP chairman Hamzah Haz, who is also the current vice president, said the Muslim-based party would definitely be going all out for the presidency next year, but would not spurn offers of coalitions with other parties.

"There is no party that is content to play second fiddle," Hamzah said after Friday prayers here.

He said he welcomed a suggestion from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, which is chaired by President Megawati Soekarnoputri, that the two parties should join forces for the 2004 presidential election.

"Let's wait until the general election to see how many votes we will win," Hamzah said.

Asked how the two parties could get along given their different ideologies, Hamzah replied: "In politics there is always flexibility."

The PPP nominated Hamzah as its presidential candidate during the party's congress earlier this year. -- Antara