Taufik told to stay clear of the press

Taufik told to stay clear of the press

JAKARTA: Senior member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI-P) Taufik Kiemas has been warned against giving
statements or interviews to the media ahead of the presidential
election.

"I am so sorry we can no longer grant you any interview with
Pak Taufik, because it the policy of the presidential campaign
not to permit interviews with him," one of Taufik's aides said on
Wednesday.

Taufik, who is President Megawati Soekarnoputri's husband, has
always been a favorite among journalists due to his statements,
which are sometimes controversial. The latest of his widely
publicized statements was about a possible coalition between PDI-
P and Golkar Party in the upcoming presidential election.

PDI-P is preparing the formation of a "Mega Center", which
will help her win a full five-year mandate as president. --JP