JAKARTA, 02 August 2004 - Indonesian Vice-President Hamzah Haz has expressed support for President Megawati Sukarnoputri, providing a small boost for her re-election bid in next month's run-off polls. Ms Megawati has received the backing of Mr Hamzah's Islamic-based United Development Party (PPP), which won the third-largest number of seats in April's parliamentary elections.
'We want to join forces with Megawati. We have a good track record working with her and her party in Parliament and in the Cabinet,' said Mr Endin Soefihara, a senior PPP party member. The party made the decision at a party congress on Saturday, he said. Former general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono won the July 5 polls with 33.58 per cent of the vote, followed by Ms Megawati with 26.29 per cent and three others. Mr Hamzah, one of the five contenders, finished last.
A run-off election will take place on Sept 20 as no one won a majority. Ms Megawati had dropped Mr Hamzah as a running mate reportedly because of his declining popularity. Her choice of presidential running mate, Mr Hasyim Muzadi, is the head of Indonesia's biggest Muslim organisation, Nahdlatul Ulama. 'Despite Megawati running with a different vice-president, PPP will still support her. We have no problems with a woman running the country,' Mr Endin said.
PPP's endorsement will prop up Ms Megawati's Islamic credentials and help fend off critics who say Muslims should not pick a woman as president. Ms Megawati's second-place finish has been ascribed to widespread discontent with her hands-off leadership style, her lack of a clearly articulated vision for Indonesia's future and her failure to crack down on rampant graft. But she could still pull ahead if she capitalises on coalitions and her incumbency. So far, Mr Bambang, backed by the small newly formed Democratic Party, has received no endorsements from large parties.

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