President to open 1st PDI-P congress

SEMARANG (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid is slated to open the first congress of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) here on March 27, a party official said on Tuesday.

The opening ceremony will be staged at the Recreation Fair Ground north of Semarang, Central Java.

"Actually we're not supposed to hold the congress until 2003 but due to the urgent demand for party consolidation and program planning, we've moved it forward," party secretary-general Alex Litaay said after meeting with Central Java Governor Mardiyanto on Monday night.

The highlight of the congress will be the election of the party chief.

Megawati Soekarnoputri is expected to easily win renomination as chairperson. (har/edt)