Latest on Indonesian elections

Wednesday, June 30, 1999 - 10:00

Latest on Indonesian elections

The Joint Media and Operations Centre in Jakarta, which has been monitoring
the Indonesian vote count, has estimated the final vote for the major parties
to be: Megawati Sukarnoputri's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
(PDI-P), 34.2%; Golongan Karya Party (Golkar), 22.1%; Abdurrahman Wahid's
National Awakening Party (PKB), 12.2%; United Development Party (PPP),
10.7%; Amien Rais' National Mandate Party (PAN), 7.5%.

Because of the complicated method of turning these percentages into
seats in parliament, a complete picture is not possible. The centre's initial
estimate is PDI-P 138, PKB 39, PAN 27; Golkar 98 and PPP 39.

The armed forces will have 38 appointed members, making it the third
largest group. The strongly Islamic and pro-Golkar Star and Crescent Party
may have a few seats, and the anti-Golkar Islamic Justice Party one or
two seats.

The anti-Golkar �coalition� of PDI-P, PKB and PAN will have around 205
seats, making it the largest bloc.

It is not clear where the PPP will line up, with different PPP figures
supporting and opposing Habibie.

Military figures are more and more speaking out for compromise and reconciliation
between all parties. There is enormous speculation in Jakarta that the
military and Golkar are increasing pressure on Megawati Sukarnoputri and
Abdurrahman Wahid to agree to a �government of national reconciliation�
including all parties.

There are a few signals from Golkar figures that they may be willing
to drop Habibie, but there seems to be a bitter struggle within Golkar
on this issue.