The Golkar party

Golkar had 20.71 percent of the 82.4 million votes counted, leaving President Megawati Sukarnoputri's governing Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) trailing with 19.97 percent.

The party, which backed Suharto's autocratic 32-year rule but claims to have reformed, lead in 23 of the 32 provinces.

Counting was continuing eight days after the April 5 legislative election and it was not clear when it would end.

PDI-P has suffered a dramatic slump in support and Megawati's prospects in a July 5 election for president and vice president have been weakened as a result.

The Japan Times Weekly: April 17, 2004
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