Six compete for PAN leadership

JAKARTA: At least six figures will join the race for the leadership of the National Mandate Party (PAN) in a congress scheduled for next month.

The open race among PAN leaders will take place after PAN leader Amien Rais rejected demands that he stand for reelection.

The six figures are Samuel Koto, Afni Achmad, Ahmad Farhan Hamid, Fuad Bawazier, Didik J. Rachbini and Moeslim Abdurrahman.

Samuel Koto, an ex-legislator, said on Tuesday that he would maintain PAN as a party that is always committed to reform and corruption eradication.

During the congress -- to take place in Semarang, Central Java -- the candidates will fight to win votes from 432 regency chapters, 31 provincial chapters, and the central executive board.

PAN is the fifth biggest faction in the House of Representatives, after Golkar, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the United Development Party (PPP) and the Democratic Party. - JP