President to meet East Java leaders

President to meet East Java leaders

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri will visit the East
Java capital of Surabaya next month to hold talks with some 1,000
community leaders in the province.

One community leader, Achmad Zaini, said after a meeting with
the President at her office on Monday that the talks would focus
on the current situation in the country.

"The event is not meant to gather political support for the
President, but merely a discussion between a leader and her
people," Achmad said, dismissing allegations that Megawati would
pursue her political interests during the meeting.

The province is a stronghold of the National Awakening Party
(PKB), whose chief patron Abdurrahman Wahid was impeached and
replaced as president by Megawati in 2001.

Achmad said the meeting would be held in the compound of the
Heroes Monument. Religious leaders, women activists and
traditional leaders will attend the forum, according to Achmad.
--JP.