Megawati Won't Run As Presidential Candidate

Jakarta, Jan 10 (Antara) - Former Indonesian President and Chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Megawati Soekarnoputri will not run as presidential candidate in the General Election on April 9, stated senior politician Panda Nababan, here on Friday. "I have spoken with Megawati during a party congress sometime ago. She confirmed that she will not run as presidential candidate since she is now 67 years old, explaining that she prefers to give the chance to a younger party member to step up and run as presidential candidate from PDIP," Panda noted. Asked whether the new figure could be the current Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo, Panda emphasized that it is Megawati`s prerogative to decide who, from the PDIP, will run as presidential candidate. "In time, Megawati will announce it," he added. On April 9, Indonesia will hold the general election to determine the new parliament members as also the new president. Up till now only one political party, People`s Conscience Party (Hanura), has nominated a presidential candidate, the retired military general Wiranto. Other parties such as Golkar, Democrat and PDIP are not yet announcing their presidential candidates.