Suwarjono, Jakarta -– As many as 16 opposition groups plan to form a new party to participate in the 2004 general elections. Among them are the People’s Democratic Party (PRD) and the Indonesian Front for Labour Struggle (FNPBI).

“This step is to respond to the 2004 elections. The party will be able to answer the need for opposition unity and setup an alternative political vehicle in society to fight against the political elite who do not side with the ordinary people”, explained the chairperson of FNPBI, Dita Indah Sari at the Juang Building in Menteng, Jakarta, on Monday.

Other groups which will join [the new political party] include the Popular Youth Movement (Gerakan Pemuda Kerakyatan, KPK), the Jakarta Trade Union for Struggle (Serikat Buruh Jakarta Perjuangan), the Food and Drink Trade Union (Serikat Buruh Makanan dan Minuman) and the Farmers and Fisherpeople Trade Union (Serikat Tani dan Nelayan).

According to Dita, the first stage will be the launch of the Committee for the Formation of a United Opposition Party (Komite Pembentukan Partai Persatuan Oposisi, KP3O) which will [go on to] establish the new party. It is planned that the party will be launched on July 27 following a national congress which will begin on July 24.

“There are three alternative names for the new party and we will choose one of these”, said Dita. The three names mentioned were the the People’s United Opposition Party (Partai Persatuan Oposisi Rakyat, Popor), the United People’s Democratic Party (Partai Persatuan Rakyat Demokratik, PPRD) and the United People’s Opposition Party (Partai Oposisi Rakyat Bersatu, PORB).

“Later, the party will link up with organisations which have a mass base such as workers, farmers, students, non-government organisations and artists”, she said.

Dita added that they are in the process of preparing the initial stage, [establishing] the infrastructure in a different regions in order that when [local branches] have been registered they are ready for verification [by the General Elections Commission].(aan)

[Translated by James Balowski.]